Total elimination of terrorism govt’s mission: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that the complete elimination of terrorism was the mission of his government, as Pakistan’s development and prosperity are linked to it.

Speaking at a meeting of the federal cabinet here, the prime minister commended the sacrifices being rendered by the Armed Forces of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, saying that their sacrifices would always be remembered.

He pointed out that recently he attended funeral of Shaheed Lt Hassan Ashraf who sacrificed his life but killed six Khawarij before embracing Shahadat.Meanwhile, Shehbaz reiterated that that Pakistan and Turkiye were two brotherly nations and they were committed to take the bilateral trade volume between the two countries to $5 billion mark.

He referred to the recent visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and said that he had always supported Pakistan at all global fora.He said that a flyover which was completed in 84 days in Islamabad was named after President Tayyip Erdogan as a sign of affection by the people of Pakistan.

He stressed that they have to move forward and work hard to accomplish the economic agenda and its key components including ‘Uraan Pakistan’ in coming months.

The prime minister, about his meeting with a delegation of World Bank directors, said that they unanimously expressed their satisfaction over the reforms agenda and the macro-economic stability.

The prime minister apprised the federal cabinet about the letter of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stating that the Saudi Development Fund would extend the provision of $100 million per month to Pakistan for another year on a deferred payment basis for petroleum products.

He directed digitalisation of entire system in Pakistani missions abroad to facilitate the overseas Pakistanis.He instructed to complete the 100 percent implementation of e-office in all federal government ministries and departments by 20th of the next month.The cabinet was briefed that the use of e-office in all the divisions of the federal government has reached to 98 percent.

The forum was further told that 100 percent enforcement of e-office has been ensured in 39 divisions.The meeting was briefed that the implementation of e-office has started in allied and government departments of the federal ministries out of which this task has been completed in 176 institutions.

The federal cabinet on recommendation of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training approved appointed of Kamran Jahangir as managing director of the National Book Foundation.

On recommendation of the Ministry for Human Rights, the cabinet approved to send six names to the prime minister and leader of the opposition in the National Assembly for appointment as members of the National Commission for Human Rights.

On recommendation of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, it okayed appointment of Dr Shahid Aslam Mirza as managing director of the Korangi Fisheries Harbour Authority.

On recommendation of the Ministry of Science and Technology, it approved to form a commission of inquiry into irregularities in governing body elections of the Pakistan Engineering Council.

The cabinet also approved decisions taken by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) which it took at its meeting on February 14.The ECC meeting which was held on February 14 with the finance minister in the chair, approved Pakistan’s membership in the New Development Bank (NDB), established by BRICS member countries.

The committee also endorsed the purchase of 5,882 capital shares in the NDB, amounting to $582 million, with $116 million as paid-in capital.

Earlier, the prime minister inaugurated the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Interchange at junction of F-8 and F-9 sectors which was completed in a record period of 84 days.

Addressing the ceremony, the premier commended the efforts of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his entire team for completing the project in record time.

Meanwhile, US Chargé d’Affaires Ms Natalie Baker paid a courtesy call on the prime minister.While recalling the decades long history of close cooperation between the two countries, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong desire to work closely with the Trump Administration to further strengthen bilateral ties, says an official press release received here.

The prime minister emphasised the need to enhance trade, as well as cooperation in the areas of IT, agriculture, health, education, and energy, among other areas of mutual interest. He also stressed upon the need for both countries to continue their close cooperation in the counter-terrorism domain, in particular, to deal with the threat posed by Daesh and Fitna Al Khwarij (FAK).

The US Charge d’Affaires thanked the prime minister for receiving her and said that the new administration would work with Pakistan in pursuit of common objectives to strengthen the bilateral relationship.