Ahsan Iqbal says CPEC to prove as game changer for Pakistan

KARACHI: Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal here on Tuesday categorically denied any proposal or even possible likelihood to ban Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

Talking to media, following the inauguration of Executive Passport Office in Clifton area of the metropolis, Ahsan said action against London faction of the party could, however, be taken in accordance with the law of the country.

“MQM (Pakistan) is a democratic force and it is its right to take part in democratic process,” he said.

He also took exception to the political parties creating hurdles in the passage of National Census Law, at the upper house of the parliament.

"The parties adopting delay tactics do not want elections at the right time," the interior minister said.

To a query, regarding Senator Ishaq Dar, he said cases were being registered, under a political agenda, against the former finance minister of the country.

Ahsan Iqbal with regard to the first Executive Passport office opened in Karachi, said NADRA had already established three mega-centers in Karachi with the objective to provide world quality services to the citizens.

"Under the arrangements, the Executive Passport Office will not take more than five minutes as processing time for the applicants hence expediting the process and ensuring quality service delivery," said Minister Ahsan Iqbal.

CPEC industrial park to be set up at Port Qasim

According to official documents of Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms, 1500 acres of land has been acquired from PSM to set up an industrial park under the umbrella of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) at Port Qasim.

"An overall approach has been adopted by the federal government to improve service delivery at all its public facilities," he said mentioning that more and more executive passport offices are being established in different cities of the country.

The minister for interior also mentioned that Rs12 billion were being provided to help Karachiites get potable water, while the much needed Karachi Circular Railway project was included in the CPEC project.

"The PML- N government has also ensured resumption of the Lyari Expressway scheme to provide quality facilities to the citizens."he said.

Earlier, addressing a seminar on China Pakistan Economic Corridor in Karachi on Tuesday, Ahsan Iqbal has CPEC will prove as game changer in energy, economic and infrastructure development in the country.

He said through CPEC the dream of producing cheap energy from Thar coal deposits in Sindh is being materialized.

Ahsan Iqbal said rail and road network is being laid across the country to connect Gwadar with China and other parts of the country which will boost regional connectivity and generate economic activities. (APP/Web Desk)