Federal Cabinet okays easing of lockdown from May 9.

ISLAMABAD -- The Federal Cabinet on Tuesday approved easing of lockdown and restrictions imposed in the country to stem the spread of coronavirus from May 9.

The final decision in that regard would be taken in the meeting of National Command and Control Centre on May 6 (Wednesday), Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz said while briefing the media about the decisions made in the cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Shibli Faraz said Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar gave a comprehensive briefing to the cabinet over the coronavirus situation in the country. It was informed that Pakistan's situation was far better than that of many developed countries.

He said the prime minister and all the cabinet members, including ministers, ministers of state, advisors and special assistants, decided to donate their one month salary to the Prime Minister's COVID-19 Relief Fund 2020.

The gesture was made in view of the prevalent situation and difficulties faced by the people, he added.

The minister said the cabinet was informed that the Committee on Election Reforms had sent its report to the Ministry of Law and Justice. The prime minister desired that the election process should be transparent and unbiased, which should also enjoy the trust of the masses.

The PM said reforming the electoral system was part of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's agenda and it would remain the topmost priority of its government, he added.

The prime minister stressed the need to reform the criminal justice system as the cases lingered on for decades. He asked the minister for law and justice to finalize the reformation process in the criminal justice system within six months.

The PM advised that modern technology should be introduced in police stations to change the "Thana" culture. The meeting was updated on the conversion of police stations to model police stations with the introduction of modern technology.

Shibli Faraz said on the PM's directives, the cabinet was informed that 76 illegal appointments were made on high posts in seven divisions during the previous government. The ministries concerned were directed to present reports on those appointments in the next cabinet meeting. Any decision regarding the illegal appointments would be made soon, he added.

It was informed that in total 81 cabinet meetings, total 1,630 decisions were made, out of which 1,376 ( 86%) had been...