PESHAWAR: The federal cabinet on Tuesday approved transfer of erstwhile Fata’s zakat funds to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

Special Assistant to PM on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said while briefing media persons about the decisions of the federal cabinet in Islamabad that 244 rehabilitation centres will be established for the treatment of drug addicts. She said prevention from narcotics will be made part of the education syllabus to save the youth from falling prey to such menace. The special assistant said the federal government has directed provinces to evolve an effective strategy to control dengue disease. She said every possible step will be taken to provide medical assistance to patients suffering from dengue fever.

Dr Firdous said the cabinet approved health cards for transgender persons across the country. She said around 5,000 transgender persons are registered in the Nadra data. She said the cabinet approved Maskan project for providing homes to elderly persons under the Ehsas programme. The cabinet also granted approval to extension of one-time on work visa for Chinese citizens to ensure unhindered work on development projects. She said vacant posts in various government departments will be filled under the given deadline.

Dr Firdous said the cabinet approved establishment of special media tribunals to resolve issues relating to media industry and stakeholders. Media tribunals will replace the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Council of Complaints to resolve issues relating to media and other stakeholders. These tribunals will decide all cases within 90 days.

The prime minister, who chaired the meeting, informed the cabinet about his agenda and priorities to highlight the Kashmir issue at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session and during his interactions with the international leadership and the media.

The government will also file a review petition against the decision of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to declare Maryam Nawaz eligible to hold office of vice president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Dr Firdous said Maryam Nawaz is a convicted person and cannot hold the party office.

Dr Firdous said the cabinet also approved abolishing premium on purchase of new cars.