Federal Cabinet approves two electoral reforms ordinances.

ISLAMABAD -- Federal Cabinet on Tuesday approved two ordinances as part of electoral reforms to ensure transparency in the general elections. Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired the meeting in Islamabad.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain while briefing media about the decisions taken in the Federal Cabinet meeting said that one ordinance will enable the Election Commission of Pakistan to use electronic voting machines in elections while the other empowers the ECP to take steps to give the overseas Pakistanis right to franchise.

Chaudhry Fawad Hussain explained that the government's electoral reforms consist of four parts, including EVMs, e-voting for overseas Pakistanis, biometric and legislation. He said EVMs were developed and the government unveiled its legislation agenda for the purpose. He said work is underway on biometric and e-voting.

Speaking about the Covid situation in the country, the Information Minister said the Covid SOPs are not being implemented in letter and spirit in Karachi, and the Sindh Government should look into it. The situation in the province, particularly in Karachi, was a matter of concern, and if the SOPs were not followed it could further worsen and affect the supply chain upcountry. He said the Cabinet has approved the Sindh Government's request for deployment of the army for ensuring implementation of the SOPs.

Politics of PPP and PML-N going to end, says Fawad

Islamabad, he said, was at the forefront in implementation of the SOPs, while there was stability and decrease in COVID-19 cases in Punjab and Khyber Pakthunkhwa due to better compliance of the precautionary measures. He pointed out that the SOPs implementation had significantly improved with the involvement of military personnel.

The cabinet, he said, approved the deployment of the army personnel in Sindh, accepting the provincial government's request. The situation would have been better in that province had its government already opted for the army personnel's deployment.

Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said the Cabinet approved 90-day remission to jail prisoners on the occasion of Eid ul Fitr. However, this remission will not applicable to the prisoners of heinous crimes. He said the facility of succession certificates through NADRA is also being provided to overseas Pakistanis, and in the first phase, desks are being opened in twenty-four embassies.

He said the Cabinet approved issuance of a commemorative coin to pay tribute...