ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has maintained that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a game changer not only for Pakistan but the entire region.
The CPEC projects are testament to the ever strengthening ties between Pakistan and China and will also go a long way in securing a bright future for Pakistan, the premier said this while talking to Chairman Parliamentary Committee on CPEC Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed here on Tuesday who called on him at Prime Minister Office (PMO).
The senator presented report of the Committee to Prime Minister Abbasi. Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed congratulated Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on assuming the office. The prime minister appreciated the role of the committee in building a national consensus over CPEC projects. “The CPEC projects are our government’s highest priority and I am personally supervising the progress of these hallmark projects be it infrastructure, energy, railway or other sectors”, stated Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
Prime Minister Abbasi spent hectic day at the PMO as he hold back-to-back meetings all the day which were culminated in the meeting of the federal cabinet. He chaired a high level meeting on polio eradication wherein the Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Mrs. Saira Afzal Tarar and Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication Senator Ms. Ayesha Raza Farooq briefed the prime minister on progress regarding polio eradication.
hat the political leadership is wholeheartedly committed to polio eradication from Pakistan. “It is a matter of survival of our next generation, hence we take full ownership of polio eradication from the country”, stated the prime minister. The prime minister directed to immediately call a meeting of the National Task Force on Polio Eradication and told the participants that he would personally monitor the progress.
Polio eradication requires a concerted effort from provincial governments, law enforcing agencies, district administration, civil society and international donors, emphasised the prime minister.
The premier expressed satisfaction over the progress made by the Ministry of National Health Services and the National Polio Eradication Programme in significantly restricting the polio virus and appreciated support from partner organisations in helping Pakistan towards achieving zero polio incidences.
A delegation of senators from Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) called on Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. The Fata senators included Hidayat Ullah, Haji Momin Khan Afridi, Aurangzeb Khan, Hilal ur Rehman, Sajjad Hussain Turi, Muhammad Saleh Shah, Taj Muhammad Afridi and Malik Najam ul Hassan.
Senators from Fata congratulated Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on assuming the office. The Fata senators stated that terrorism had adversely affected the rate of development and severely damaged infrastructure in their respective agencies. The PM reminded that change in Fata is a must and status quo has to come to an end. The change is the government’s priority and we want to bring Fata at par with other federating units. “Equal treatment of Fata residents in all social sectors shall be ensured”, stated the prime minister.
“Our government has already taken the initiative and is prioritising legal reforms along with constructive change in the affairs of Fata in consultation with all stakeholders, added the prime minister.
The prime minister stated that additional resources shall be allocated to Fata for improving the health, education, infrastructure and social sectors. The prime minister assured that he would visit Fata soon.
Muhammad Barjees Tahir, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan (GB) also called on Prime Minister Abbasi. The minister briefed the prime minister on matters pertaining to the ministry and provided an overview of the development outlay for AJK and GB.
Newly appointed Adviser to the Prime Minister and President PML-N KP Engineer Amir Muqam Khan called on the prime minister. Matters pertaining to party affairs and development projects in the province were discussed at length. Prime Minister Abbasi appreciated his role for the party and the government.
Members National Assembly Ch Muhammad Tufail and Ghulam Muhammad Lali called on the prime minister separately.
Matters pertaining to development projects in their respective constituencies were discussed during the meetings.