Making Pakistan welfare state biggest challenge: PM Imran Khan

NOWSHERA: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that making Pakistan a welfare state and elevating the weaker segments of society is the biggest challenge for the government.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of Azakhel Dry Port in Nowshera on Friday, he said the Ehsaas programme started by the incumbent government at the cost of Rs190 billion is a major step towards helping the downtrodden of the country.

He said under the banner of Ehsaas scholarships for undergraduate students, shelter homes and other schemes have been started as part of the commitment of the government to support the people who are less fortunate.

He said Health Insaf Cards introduced by the PTI government will ensure public health facility without any financial burden on families. He said under the Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme, five million houses are being constructed for people of middle and lower income backgrounds.

Imran Khan said a package has been given to the Utility Stores Corporation in order to reduce the burden of inflation on working and middle class. He said this year policies will be made to give jobs to our youth and will help the poor people through Ehsaas programme.

He said Azakhel Dry Port will help increase trade that would lead to job creation and benefit the local populace. The prime minister said State Owned Enterprises are incurring a loss of five hundred billion rupees annually and creating burden on taxpayers money.