New law to be brought against land mafia: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday said a new law will be brought against the land mafia.

“There is a lot of work pressure on the Law Ministry and it is not known for a long time where the file that goes there, is lost, but I still pay tribute to assistance in providing inheritance certificates,” the prime minister said while addressing a ceremony in connection with issuance of inheritance certificates in Punjab.

Imran Khan said that everything in government institutions is done with great difficulty. He said it is necessary to create ease for the people with the help of technology. He pointed out that Shaukat Khanum Hospital makes full use of technology due to which corruption has ceased to exist, and efforts are being made to bring e-governance in the government.

According to the provisions of the Letter of Administration and Succession Certificates Act, 2020, legal heirs can now obtain a succession certificate from Nadra within 15 days without going to court. The move will reduce the burden of litigation on courts and allow heirs to access their legitimate legal rights quickly and easily.

He said that half of the cases in the courts are related to land, occupation groups also come into existence because land cases do not end soon, so we are relying on land record technology. Imran Khan said that the land record in Islamabad would be computerised by August, thus creating facilities for the people there.

The prime minister said that e-governance would take the government and the country towards development, just as the technology used for inheritance certificates has to be introduced in other government agencies as well.

Imran Khan wanted the overseas Pakistani to take part in elections and noted that nine million overseas Pakistanis are a huge asset, but they are unable to exercise their right to vote.

“I hope that when a system is introduced that is flawless and the EVMs can be used in elections. This system is especially useful for Pakistanis abroad who had to come to Pakistan to obtain a hereditary certificate. Now they can get the certificate with biometric verification abroad,” he said.

The premier expressed hope that in the next elections the electronic voting machines (EVMs) would be used, and the opposition will accept the results without raising objection of rigging.

“Even if the opposition loses, it will accept defeat and results in a clear and transparent manner,” he said.

The prime minister emphasised that former US President Donald Trump challenged the results in the US presidential election, but the EVM machine was used in the election so nothing happened in the US and he had to accept the results. He said the main objective of the government was to facilitate through governance. He said the government does this on the basis of tax revenue and as a result serves the taxpayers. He added that when government institutions become inactive, the government becomes incapable of serving the people and then the people 'serve' the government and this is a sign of poor system.

Meanwhile, a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan was informed that the population of the merged tribal districts is about 2.4 percent of the national population, making their share in the NFC Award about Rs80 billion, while payments are currently being made by the federal government at 4 percent.

The prime minister urged the provinces to play their part in fulfilling the promise made for the construction and development of the merged tribal districts so that the process could be further strengthened.

Imran Khan chaired a review meeting regarding the construction and development of the merged districts, and especially the funds provided by the federal government for the process. The meeting reviewed the ongoing development activities in merged districts. The meeting was informed that Rs84 billion was being paid before the merger, while Rs146 billion is being paid after the merger. The forum was informed that in the budget for the financial year 2021-22, a budget of about Rs130 billion has been allocated for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in terms of merged tribal districts.

The meeting was informed that the promises made by the federal government to the people of the former tribal areas for the construction and development were being fully fulfilled.

Imran Khan said that construction and development of merged tribal districts is the top priority of the present government. “The people of these areas have made tremendous sacrifices for the country, which we greatly value,” he said.

Meanwhile, Imran Khan chaired the review meeting of Ravi City and Lahore Central Business District.

The meeting was briefed in detail about the progress made on Ravi City and was informed that forests would be planted in Jhok, Rakh Munir and Rakh Shaheed according to the policy to prioritise environmental protection in the project.

Covering an area of 30,000 kanals, based on the theme of biodiversity, this urban forest will not only help protect endangered wildlife, but will also serve as a wildlife sanctuary. In addition, a 100-acre Knowledge Park is being set up where renowned universities will set up their campuses which will not only make the park a centre of knowledge and research, but also generate revenue that will be utilised to sustain the forests.

The meeting was further informed that forests would be established and maintained through the latest technology of Biocarbon Engineering.

The prime minister directed to ensure completion of the plantation drive during the current monsoon season as it is the most suitable time for growth of the trees.

The meeting was also apprised of the progress made in Lahore Central Business District. Imran Khan said that Ravi City and Central Business District are major development projects of the government which will alleviate the population pressure on Lahore city and provide housing to the citizens with world class facilities.

Meanwhile, Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari and Chairperson Defence of Human Rights Amna Masood Janjua called on Imran Khan and detailed discussion was held regarding missing persons in the meeting. It was shared that the bill in this regard in the parliamentary committee would be submitted for approval soon. The prime minister appreciated the steps taken by the ministry headed by Dr Shireen Mazari for the protection of human rights.

Imran Khan also paid a brief visit to the Digital Media Wing of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry also accompanied the prime minister on the occasion. Fawad Chaudhry briefed the prime minister on the digitisation policy. Under this integrated policy, national broadcasters will be gradually digitised.