Day: April 16, 2021

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced a mega development package worth R446 billion for socio-economic progress of the backward districts in Sindh.

 

Addressing a cheque distribution ceremony under Kamyab Jawan program in Sukkur on Friday, he said the materialization of the package will begin within a month.

 

The Prime Minister said the package that includes Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway and of Nai Gaj dam will greatly benefit the people of Sindh.

 

He said the government will make every possible effort for uplift of the backward areas across the country and help the people of Sindh for improvement in their living standard.

 

Imran Khan said the federal government disbursed thirty-three percent of the total funds among deserving families in Sindh under Ehsaas Programme during the pandemic. He said the network of Ehsaas Programme is being extended to twelve million people.

 

He said the PTI government’s primary focus is to enhance the living standard of the low income people. He said the government has provided mega development programmes to the backward areas across the country, including Balochistan and the tribal districts.

 

He emphasized on making the youth skilled. He said the government will take steps to develop sports grounds across the country.

 

The Prime Minister asked the Sindh Government to review its decision of cancellation of the NOC for developing Bundal Island near Karachi for economic progress of the people of Sindh as well as other parts of the country.

 

On the occasion, the Prime Minister distributed cheques among deserving people under Kamyab Jawan Programme.

 

Special Assistant on Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar briefed the Prime Minister on Emergency Cash programme.

 

The 446 billion rupees development package envisages construction of Nai Gaj dam, which will help irrigate 28800 acres of land; and 306 kilometre long Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway.

 

Two hundred thousand acres of land will also be rehabilitated which will create livelihood opportunities for the people.

 

Under the package, gas supply will be ensured to 160 villages in the deprived districts of province whilst provision of thirty thousand annual electricity connections is also part of it.

 

Education reforms are also part of Sindh package under which ratio of higher education will be brought to fifty two percent whilst for quality education teacher-student ratio will be brought at 1:20. Fourteen passport offices will also be upgraded.

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed visited the CMH and DHQ hospitals in Rawalpindi on Friday.

 

He inquired about the health of police and Rangers personnel injured in violence by workers of proscribed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan.

 

The Minister appreciated the police and Rangers personnel and paid tribute to their courage and bravery being demonstrated to maintain law and order in the country.

ISLAMABAD: On the call of President Dr Arif Alvi, the first Friday of Ramazan was observed as Deliverance Day from Coronavirus pandemic.

 

The Day was observed to seek an end of Coronavirus with the blessing of Allah Almighty. In Friday prayers, special prayers were held to seek salvage of Allah Almighty from the deadly virus.

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has said the government will not apply the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) in the corruption cases as the people want the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to go after the corrupt elements.

 

In an interview with a private news channel, he said Prime Minister Imran Khan is disappointed and frustrated because of the way corruption cases prolonged and no verdicts were handed down despite the presence of evidence.

 

The President said Prime Minister Imran Khan is the biggest advocate against Islamophobia and he took up the issue of blasphemous caricatures published in France.

 

He said the Parliament has an important role, and the government and opposition should sit together on issues of foreign affairs, price hikes and electoral reforms. He said electronic voting machines should be used in the next election.

 

To a question, the President said action against different mafias, including land grabbers, sugar and water mafias is very difficult but the government would succeed at the end. He said due to the government’s efforts the economy is improving and there is growth in various sectors.

ISLAMABAD: Chairman China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority Lt Gen (r) Asim Saleem Bajwa met Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar in Lahore on Friday.

 

During the meeting, issues including ongoing CPEC projects were discussed. Speaking on the occasion, Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said under leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan is moving in right direction.

 

Asim Saleem Bajwa said the CPEC will increase economic growth in the country as well as employment opportunities.

ISLAMABAD: The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has stressed for solidarity among states to recover from financial recession in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

 

This was stated in the declaration at the conclusion of Economic and Social Council’s Forum on Financing for Development virtually held in New York.

 

Speaking at the forum, President of the Council and Pakistan’s permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Munir Akram said global recovery from COVID-19 pandemic must be undertaken urgently and comprehensively and should restore us on the path of sustainable development.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkey have agreed to continue the momentum of high-level exchanges to transform bilateral relations into strategic economic partnership.

 

The consensus to this effect was reached during a telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Imran Khan and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

 

The two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest including further strengthening of bilateral relations in all areas.

 

In the regional context, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of a negotiated political settlement of the conflict in Afghanistan ahead of recently announced planned U.S. withdrawal.

 

He highlighted that Pakistan had fully supported and facilitated the U.S.-Taliban Peace Agreement and the subsequent initiation of Intra-Afghan Negotiations.

 

The Prime Minister stressed that the Intra-Afghan Negotiations provided a historic opportunity which must be seized by the Afghan leadership to achieve an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement.

 

Appreciating Turkey’s role, Imran Khan said that Pakistan will continue to extend all possible support to the efforts for a political solution for durable peace and stability in Afghanistan.