PM vows to eliminate smuggling to stabilise economy

ABBOTTABAD/ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday launched the Shuhada Package to support the families of federal government officials martyred in the line of duty.

The prime minister announced the package during his visit to the family of late Customs Inspector Syed Hasnain Ali Tirmizi, who was martyred in a firing incident in Dera Ismail Khan a few days ago. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, PMLN leaders and senior government officers were present.

PM Sharif handed over a cheque under the Shuhada Package to the family of martyred personnel and assured his government’s all-out efforts for the security of the Customs officials serving to purge the country of smuggling.

Offering Fateha for the martyred soul and sympathizing with the bereaved family, he said that the Shuhada Package, earlier announced by the Punjab government, had now been extended to the federal government and could be revised further, considering the country’s financial position. The package comprises cash assistance, housing allowance, free education and medical treatment.

Under the package, the family members of a martyred sepoy will get Rs10 million cash assistance and Rs13.5 million housing allowance besides free education and medical treatment.

The family of a martyred customs inspector will be entitled for Rs15 million cash and Rs25 million housing allowance along with free education and medical facilities.

PM Sharif said the package would also apply to civilian officials, police and law enforcement agencies. He said the Federal Board of Revenue, law enforcement agencies and Interior Ministry were working in collaboration to curb the menace of smuggling along with provincial institutions.

He also thanked Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, the provincial chief secretary and Inspector General of KP Police for their support in the federal government’s endeavour against smuggling.

The father of martyred Customs Inspector Hasnain Tirmizi thanked the prime minister for visiting and sympathizing with them.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday said the government was committed to empower the youth by equipping them with modern technology and imparting the latest vocational training. He was speaking at an event organized by the Ministry of Information Technology on the occasion of International Girls in Information Communication Technology (ICT) Day, to recognize contribution of female entrepreneurs in the field.

He said, “It is our hope that the youth will become entrepreneurs and open offices in cities like Karachi, Lahore and other places in Pakistan and other countries like Saudi Arabia, and information technology will become the biggest foreign exchange earner for Pakistan.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday chaired a high level third and final meeting to review reforms in the power sector. During the meeting, important decisions were taken about the transmission system of electricity and distribution companies. The prime minister approved in principle reforms and restructuring of the electricity transmission system, especially reform and reorganization of the National Transmission and Dispatch Company.

He formed a committee to finalize the recommendations for ensuring implementation of reforms and reorganization in this regard. He also set up a cell in the Prime Minister’s House for ensuring implementation of reforms in the power sector. The cell would closely monitor the whole process. The PM said he himself would chair the monthly review meeting on the power sector reforms. He directed that industries should be provided electricity at lower tariff to ensure economic progress and increase exports.

“Reforms are not possible in the government departments without a system of reward and punishment,” he added.

Meanwhile, as the world observes the World Malaria Day on Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for a vigorous political commitment and adequate investment strategies to reach the goal of a world free from the disease. “It is my belief that every individual has the right to live a healthy and prosperous life with dignity. Everyone must have access to quality-assured malaria testing and treatment facilities, free of cost, at their doorsteps,” he added.