ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet remained undecided regarding the hike in power tariff for consumers by K-Electric, the company the government holds responsible for prolonged power outages in the city, sources said on Monday.
The federal cabinet met today to discuss the evolving political and economic situation of the country as well as the SOPs that will be observed across the country ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
Sources said that the cabinet also discussed the matter of KE and electricity rates for consumers. Earlier this month, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) approved an increase in K-Electric's power rates of between Rs1.09 and Rs2.89 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for different tariff slabs.
Moreover, the federal cabinet was briefed regarding the Joint Investigation Team report on notorious Lyari gangster Uzair Baloch.
Sources said that the session also approved the appointment of new Director-Generals for National Institute of Electronics and Pakistan national accreditation council (PNAC).
The prime minister once again urged the nation to exercise caution during the Eid days and implement SOPs while going to cattle markets, sources said.
During the meeting, federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed spoke in favour of restaurants and other businesses resuming operations before Eid-ul-Azha. The PM forwarded the matter to federal minister Asad Umar and adjourned the session until Thursday.
The meeting takes place a day after the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) chalked out the SOPs for Eid-ul-Azha.
In the NCOC meeting on Monday, the forum was told that around 700 cattle markets will be functioning across Pakistan at the eve of Eid-ul-Azha, for which necessary guidelines have been forwarded.
Addressing the session via videolink, federal minister Asad Umar said that the management of cattle markets is quite important in order to contain the spread of the coronavirus as people congregate in large gatherings during this time.
The minister said that the cattle markets will be set up outside the cities and a layout of these will be shared with everyone so health protocols and guidelines can be followed.
The NCOC chairman had further said that the local administrations should ensure that the cattle markets should operate from 6am to 7pm.
Among other guidelines, it was decided that the screening of those entering the markets would be mandatory.
People will be asked to ensure they are wearing face masks and practicing social distancing. The officials will be asked to ensure that only a designated number of people will be allowed inside at one time to avoid over-crowding.