Directs officials to prepare projects for Beijing Road Show
NOWSHERA: Chief Minister Pervez Khattak said on Sunday the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would sweep the next general election as other political parties had no programme for the welfare of the poor.
“All the political parties never implemented own manifestoes. Their manifestoes remain confined to mere election slogans and promises. The political parties, including the Awami National Party (ANP), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have no programme for improving the lot of the poor. This is why the political workers from across the province are joining the PTI,” he said speaking at a gathering in Taru Jaba.
Several workers from the Afridi tribe having affiliations with PML-N, ANP and PPP announced joining the PTI on the occasion. Noor Rehamn Afridi, Siddiqur Rehman Afridi, Naseeb Khan, Abdur Rauf, Ali Noor Khan, Laiqur Rehman, Sohailur Rehman and Qaziur Rehman left the PML-N and joined the ruling party along with 106 family members and friends. Jehnazeb Khan and his relatives quit the ANP to join the PTI.
Nowshera District Nazim Liaquat Khan Khattak, Member National Assembly Dr Imran Khattak and Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Development Mian Khaliqur Rehman addressed the gathering as well.
The chief minister welcomed the new entrants to the PTI by presenting them the party caps. He said the people of all ages were joining the PTI. “This is the change we have been talking about since long and this shows the masses trust in our policies,” said Pervez Khattak, adding youth were an asset to the PTI.
The chief minister enumerated the steps the PTI-led provincial government had taken so far to improve governance and institutions. He especially talked about the police, education and health sectors.
Pervez Khattak said political interference had been ended from the Police Department, which had improved the performance of the law-enforcement agency. Talking of the Education Department, the chief minister said that boundary walls had been erected for 15, 000 schools while construction work for 13, 000 schools would be completed by the end of this year.
He said the PTI government had ended the class-based education system and teaching of English had been introduced at the primary level and extended to the high level too. Schools have been provided required number of teachers, furniture and science laboratories equipment.
The chief minister said proper attention had been paid to the health sector by introducing changes at the public sector hospitals. “Vacant vacancies have been filled out by appointing doctors and other paramedical staff,” he explained.
Pervez Khattak talked about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He said the CPEC would create great economic opportunities in the region along with jobs. He said Chinese businessmen were turning to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for investment
Meanwhile, presiding over a meeting at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar, the chief minister directed the officials to plan both government-to-government and business-to-business projects for marketing in the Beijing Road Show which would be held from April 16h to 17.
Pervez Khattak approved standard guidelines for the Memorandum of Understanding for all the CPEC and non-CPEC projects. He directed the organising committee to identify timelines for these projects and make allocation for the projects in the ADP. The chief minister asked the committee to finalise all arrangements, including a comprehensive format and enhanced interaction to make the road show a success story.
He directed accelerated progress on the Bus Terminal which would be marketed in the Road Show. The old bus terminal would be allocated for the CPEC Tower, commercial plazas, hotels and other commercial activities. He directed to acquire land for the first phase of the main bus terminal at Chamkani to be developed at the 900 kanal of land.
The chief minister directed to plan Kohat Bypass, Warsak Road, Abbottabad by pass, etc and prepare a layout for onward marketing in the road show. He also directed to acquire additional 2000 acres of land for the motorway economic zone.
Pervez Khattak indicated the Gilgit Chitral Dir Chakdarra route would become part of the CPEC which would be an all-weathers route. At another meeting, the chief minister was given a comprehensive briefing about the greater Peshawar Circular Railway Project. Provincial Minister Imtiaz Qureshi, Chairman EZDMC Chairmain Ghulam Dastagir, EZDMC CEO Mohsin Syed were in attendance.
