PNN: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday chaired a federal cabinet meeting that ratified decisions made in the Cabinet Committee on Legislation sessions of December 3 and December 30.
According to sources, the cabinet discussed proposed legislation regarding local government elections in the federal capital. The Islamabad chief commissioner briefed the cabinet on the matter, after which it approved a further postponement of local government elections in Islamabad. The cabinet also endorsed legislation to hold the local government elections in the capital under the Punjab model.
It is worth recalling that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had earlier scheduled Islamabad’s local government elections for February 15, with results to be compiled between February 16 and 19.
While addressing cabinet members, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended New Year greetings and conveyed his best wishes. He expressed satisfaction over the successful privatization of 75 percent shares of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), stating that the bidding process was conducted in a highly transparent manner.
The prime minister said that upon assuming office, the government had pledged to privatize loss-making state-owned enterprises, adding that PIA’s privatization marked a major milestone in this regard. He noted that privatization remains a key pillar of the government’s economic reform agenda.
Referring to economic indicators, the prime minister said the increase in GDP during the first quarter of the current fiscal year was encouraging. He added that the government had successfully pulled the country back from the brink of default and placed it on the path to economic stability.
The prime minister also termed his recent meetings with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as highly productive, particularly in strengthening bilateral relations. He further mentioned a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, during which both sides expressed satisfaction over the pace of economic and strategic cooperation and discussed further expansion of bilateral ties.
The cabinet ratified decisions taken during the CCL meeting held on December 30, 2025, including matters related to the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government (Amendment) Ordinance 2025. Decisions from the CCL meeting of December 3, 2025, were also approved.
In addition, the cabinet ratified decisions of the Economic Coordination Committee meeting held on August 26, 2025. These included measures to provide relief to electricity distribution company consumers regarding the off-grid (captive power plant) levy and to devise an appropriate strategy in this regard.
On the recommendation of the Petroleum Division, the cabinet also approved initiating the process to issue a presidential ordinance to amend the Off-Grid (Captive Power Plants) Levy Act 2025, allowing third parties to sell gas to off-grid captive power plants.