Power, gas outages to end in two- and-a-half years: PM

MURREE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday said the government will end power and gas loadshedding within the next two and a half years. The prime minister said this while inaugurating the renovated General Post Office (GPO) building here. The building was renovated on the same pattern as it was in the year 1867.

The prime minister recalled the good old days in Murree and addressed the people while sitting on the steps of the GPO building. This act of the PM also forced the federal and provincial ministers, including other high-ups of the government, to sit on the steps of the building.

The prime minister said he wants to make Murree one of the most attractive tourist resorts. He said that he would also fulfil his promises made with the people of Murree during the general election campaign. He particularly referred to the supply of bulk water scheme, establishment of a university for the people of Murree and health facilities would be the top priority in the near future. He said he will himself monitor development schemes in Murree.

He said Murree was his other home and he never bothered about security in the area.Minister for Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, Hamza Shahbaz, Dr Asif Kirmani, Salim Zia, Hafiz Usman Abbasi, Safdar Abbasi and other PML-N leaders, including high officials of district and tehsil administrations, also accompanied the prime minister on the occasion.

Muhammad Saleh Zaafir adds: Nawaz Sharif impressed upon the Pakistan Post that it should become centre of community service and it should explore new avenues for investment while applying modern technology to make service delivery efficient, cost effective and people friendly.

He also referred to Pakistan Post’s large footprint across the country. The prime minister chaired a meeting on Pakistan Post after inaugurating the upgraded building of GPO Murree. He directed the authorities concerned to ensure accessibility and affordability for masses from all parts of the country. He said the organisation should serve as a vehicle to integrate people from all regions of the country to reflect the true spirit of the federation.

The prime minister approved in principle the proposal of introducing mobile money solution scheme through public private partnership and establishment of Pakistan Post Logistic Company as a joint venture.

During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed by secretary communication and director general Pakistan Post on reforms being carried by the Pakistan Post. The prime minister was informed that reforming Pakistan Post has been necessitated by drying resources, new opportunities and technology and new avenues of investment across the country.