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Tuesday March 19, 2024

Tribal districts to get Rs100b annually: PM

By Mumtaz Alvi & Muhammad Saleh Zaafir
March 19, 2019

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday announced that the government plans to spend over Rs100 billion annually for development of tribal districts.

In a message on social media, he wrote, “living up to our commitment. A 3-week consultative process on 10 year development plan for former Fata is being initiated, starting from Bajaur.” The prime minister wrote, “Our people in the tribal area will see unprecedented development as government plans to spend over Rs100 billion annually for 10 years in tribal districts.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has asked Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar to act assertively while dealing with the affairs of the province and improve the governance of Punjab further since the government cannot afford to be slack in provision of comfort to the masses. The chief minister who came here Monday on summoning by prime minister for seeking explanations on various counts including legislation regarding enhancement of salaries and perks of the provincial legislatures and ministers had extensive meeting with his leader and political mentor at the Prime Minister Office (PMO).

Contrary to speculations Usman Buzdar was given green signal to continue as provincial chief executive. He was asked to expand his circle of consultations and act more cautiously. Officially no detail has been given about what transpired in the meeting but the sources told The News that meeting has gone well since it did no “harm” to the chief minister. It was first such call for him where he was slightly admonished on the salary package.

The political situation prevailing in the province came under discussion in one-to-one meeting. The working relationship between the coalition partners of the government in the province and opposition activities also figured in the meeting, the sources said.

Much talked reshuffle and expansion in the provincial cabinet also came under discussion.

Health of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and conditions in which the Quaid of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) has been kept in Lahore prison was also discussed thoroughly by them. Buzdar reported the prime minister about the health and treatment being provided to Nawaz Sharif. He maintained that the provincial government is in touch with Nawaz Sharif and his family with regard to the former prime minister’s health, the sources said.

The chief minister briefed the prime minister about the developmental activities in the province and new scheme which would be carried out under the supervision of the legislatures.

The premier has recently approved the system for development projects in different areas. The sources said that the CM lodged informal complaint about certain leaders of the party who are interfering in the administration of the province that is hampering the performance of the provincial administration.

Prime Minister Khan noted the complaints who is chief of the ruling PTI and he summoned the chief minister in the capacity of the party leaders, the sources added.

Earlier, Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser had an important meeting with the prime minister. The official sources said that legislative matters, particularly upcoming legislation and social work in the context of model villages, came under discussion during the meeting.

In the meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday appreciated the World Bank’s (WB) continued engagement with Pakistan and its support towards capacity building, infrastructure development and economic growth.

Nadeem Siddiqui, Sr. Country Manager IFC, expressed IFC’s interest in contributing towards Prime Minister’s 05 million Housing Programme.

The delegation also offered WB’s assistance in attracting foreign investments, analytics, sharing of expertise and technical knowledge in various sectors to help the government translate its vision into reality.

The prime minister welcomed the offer and said that Pakistan looks forward to greater partnership with WB in critical areas such as building knowledge economy and developing tourism sector especially eco-tourism, mountain and religious tourism which, he said, have a huge potential towards uplift of the poor and poverty alleviation.

A delegation of the WB, headed by Hartwig Schafer, Vice President South Asia called on Prime Minister Imran Khan at Prime Minister’s Office.

The delegation comprised of Ms. Annete Dixon, Vice President Human Development, Illangovan Patchamuthu, Country Director, Ms. Melinda Good, Operations Manager and Nadeem Siddiqui, Sr. Country Manager IFC.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister Naeemul Haq, Secretary Finance Arif Ahmed Khan, Secretary EAD Noor Ahmed and other senior officials were also present during the meeting.

The delegation appreciated prime minister’s vision regarding the progress of the country especially his focus on economic stability of the country, human development and addressing the issue of stunted growth due to malnutrition.

The delegation briefed the prime minister about various ongoing projects of the WB in various sectors including water supply, sewerage and waste management, transportation and connectivity, capacity building and ease of doing business in the country.

The prime minister also highlighted various steps being taken by the present government towards economic stability, poverty alleviation and improving ease of doing business in the country.

While Prime Minister Imran Khan has emphasised on long-term planning to protect depleting green areas in Karachi and tackle issues being faced by residents of the city.

He was chairing a review meeting here at the Prime Minister Office (PMO) on Monday regarding progress on various development projects, including Green Line project, being completed in Karachi under the federal government.

The prime minister called for measures to overcome the issue of growing population of Karachi and challenges like climate change in the city. He said in view of climate change, the issue of environment should be given utmost attention, while completing all development projects in big cities like Karachi.

Governor Sindh Imran Ismail, SAPMs Iftikhar Durrani, spokesman of the Prime Minister Nadeem Afzal Chann, federal secretaries for finance, planning, cabinet, chief secretary Sindh, CEO KIDCL Saleh Ahmad Farooqi and other officers concerned attended the meeting.

The premier urged the need of cooperative working of the federal and provincial government for the welfare of the people. He said that federal government wants to help the provincial administration to redress grievances of the people of Karachi. The meeting took stock of the situation and projects under Karachi package.

Prime Minister Khan reminded that pollution factor would be kept in view while dealing with the problems of bug cities like Karachi. He emphasised the need to have long term planning for dealing with the problems like increasing population and environmental issues. The green areas are decreasing and they should be protected by all means, the prime minister added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Monday congratulated Afghanistan on their team’s first ever win in Test match against Ireland.

“Congratulations to Afghanistan on their team's first ever win in test cricket. The Afghan cricketers have achieved amazing successes in such a short period of their exposure to international cricket,” he tweeted.