ISLAMABAD:Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Fawad Hussain has said the federal cabinet has nominated the Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar and Minister for Defense Production Zubaida Jalal to visit Gwadar on behalf of the Prime Minister, sort out the issue of fishermen protesting there and try to resolve it.

He said this while briefing newsmen about the decisions taken in the meeting of federal cabinet held here on Tuesday with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair. The Minister said the Prime Minister has already taken notice of the Gwadar protest and directed its resolution.

He said Rs700billion development package has been announced by the federal government for southern Balochistan. On the issue of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Chaudhary Fawad Hussain said Ministry of Science and Technology is ready to provide EVMs to the Election Commission of Pakistan.

He said all political parties should play their positive role on the issue of electronic voting. He said the Election Commission of Pakistan should issue tenders for the Electronic Voting Machines. He said prices of all essential food items are low in Pakistan except tea as compared to other countries of the region.

He said Pakistan will have no gas in years to come, as the resource was depleting fast. He said it was depleting by 9 per cent every year for the last two years. He said gas is available in big cities to 23pc people at subsidized rates and its burden is being borne by 78pc people in other parts of the country who rely on LPG, coal and other means.

The Information and Broadcasting Minister said that people getting gas at cheaper rates in big cities should now change their habits, as this trend will not continue for long. He said the government would have to restructure its gas system to ensure to equal supply to everyone. He said the State Bank of Pakistan had sought a six-year extension for the replacement of currency notes of Rs10, 50, 100 and 1000, however, the cabinet had granted only an extension of one year.