HARIPUR: Prime Minister Imran Khan has underscored the importance of investment in the technology sector to create employment opportunities for the youth.
Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of Digital City Special Technology Zone in Haripur on Monday, the prime minister said, “Special technology zones will create employment opportunities for the youth,” adding that Pakistan’s exports are increasing as a result of facilities being provided to the business community by his government.
“Seventy-five percent increase in IT exports is expected this year,” the prime minister maintained, stating that Pakistan Digital City Special Technology Zone will have a positive impact on next generations.
He also hailed Dr Attaur Rehman and former KP Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak for taking the initiatives which he said would have far reaching impact on the provincial development.
The Prime Minister said: “It was the KP government that had introduced a health insurance facility for the low-income people of the province despite financial constraints. The PTI government also raised the issues of climate change, forestation, institution building and tourism on international forums. The prime minister also criticised previous governments for neglecting the education sector.
“Ruling PTI government introduced a core curriculum for up to class 5 for the first time in the country’s history,” said the prime minister and vowed that it would be expanded to the upper level to make the country a nation.
The ceremony was attended by federal, provincial ministers, parliamentarians and other officials.
The Pakistan Digital City is a flagship project of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government being established on 86 kanals of land at a cost of Rs1.31 billion. A large number of IT and allied technologies including electronics, computers and mobile phones, software houses and technology incubators would largely benefit from the project that would boost the allied industries and generate hundreds of thousands of jobs for the youths.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday directed for completion of development projects in their stipulated period and other public welfare plans on priority basis.
The prime minister held a meeting with Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shah Farman and Chief Minister Mahmood Khan after his arrival here.
During the meeting, they discussed the political situation, administrative affairs and law and order in the province.
Issues related to uplift projects including implementation of agriculture transformation plan, protection of forests and health cards.
Besides, the prime minister was apprised of the steps taken by the administration to control price hike and progress being made through a drive against hoarders.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has reiterated the government’s resolve for early realisation of the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline Project.
In a telephonic conversation with the Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, the prime minister underscored that Pakistan’s bilateral relationship with Russia is on an upward trajectory, with an increased focus on trade and economic ties and energy cooperation.
The prime minister appreciated Putin’s statement that insulting Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) does not count as an expression of artistic freedom but is a violation of religious freedom. The prime minister said that he has been regularly highlighting the appalling rise in Islamophobia and associated hatred in his addresses to the UN General Assembly, pointing towards its serious ramifications.
According to a press release issued after the phone call, the two leaders fondly recalled their conversations during last year on the issue and also exchanged views on bilateral cooperation as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. Both the leaders also discussed ways to move forward on trade and other mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.
The prime minister underscored that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is pivotal for regional stability. He said that Afghanistan is facing dire humanitarian and economic challenges and support of the international community to the people of Afghanistan at this critical juncture remains vitally important.
The prime minister also underscored the importance of release of Afghanistan’s financial assets for addressing the dire needs of the Afghan people. He said that he looks forward to President Putin’s visit to Pakistan as well as his own visit to Russia at an appropriate time.
Following the telephonic conversation with the Russian head of state, the premier tweeted, “He [President Putin] is the first Western leader to show empathy and sensitivity to Muslim sentiment for their beloved Prophet SAAW.”
The prime minister had previously appreciated the Russian President’s remarks, a few weeks ago, that “insulting Holy Prophet (SAAW) was not freedom of expression”. – TLTP
