New cabinet decides to put Nawaz, Maryam on ECL

ISLAMABAD: The newly-appointed Cabinet on Monday decided to put the names of former premier Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz on the Exit Control List (ECL) and take measures to repatriate his two sons – Hussain and Hassan Nawaz – and former finance minister Ishaq Dar who have been declared fugitive by courts.

Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired the first meeting of the newly appointed federal cabinet in Islamabad.

Briefing media about decisions taken during the meeting, information minister Fawad Ahmed Chaudhry said the cabinet reiterated that the accountability process will begin with cabinet members.

He said no cabinet member will now be able to avail the facility of undergoing treatment abroad at the state’s expense. As announced by PM Khan, the cabinet decided to auction 88 additional vehicles of Prime Minister House, he added.

He said two committees have been constituted to discuss and present a plan as to how government properties of billions of rupees can be put to good use for the welfare of the people.

In line with Khan’s austerity measures, the cabinet decided to cut down on government officials’ foreign visits, the minister said and added the premier doesn’t have any intention to embark on a foreign visit in the coming three months.

He, however, added foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi will pay important visits to a few countries.

The government will also approach British authorities for bringing Sharifs’ properties back to Pakistan, Mr Chaudhry said.