In May last year, the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) headed by the then Prime Minister had decided to dissolve the EDB over rampant corruption there. The federal cabinet on July 13, 2017 endorsed the decision of the CCoE.
The sources said that former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had supported winding up of the EDB which, he accused of being corrupt.
According to sources, Ministry of Industries and Production had sent a summary to the Prime Minister, who is also Minister Incharge of MoI&P for approval prior to seeking federal cabinet's approval. However, Prime Minister sent the summary to Dr Ishrat Husain for comments which were actively followed by Prime Minister's Advisor on Commerce, Textile, Industries and Production and Investment, Abdul Razak Dawood.
The sources said, Ministry of Industries and Production in its summary which will be considered by the federal cabinet shortly , has recommended that the EDB which deals with the country's engineering industry should be revived by undoing the decision of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi-led cabinet.
Chinese ambassador to Pakistan also opposed dissolution of EDB and assured government officials that he would take up this issue with the Prime Minister.
The Ministry has also informed the cabinet that PAAPAM and EDB employees have already approached Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the decision of federal cabinet.
Abdul Razak Dawood recently told Business Recorder that as the EDB is revived, he would restructure it and those EDB officials who were responsible for its dissolution will be taken to task.