LAHORE: Prime Minister Imran Khan says the basic element of PTI manifesto is eradication of corruption. He was talking to elected Members of PTI from Punjab in Lahore Sunday.
The meeting discussed the consultation between provincial government and elected representatives regarding annual development program at the divisional level in the province.
The Prime Minister said an organized mafia is promoting negative image of the government. He said these are the same elements that have been misleading people for last many decades to fulfill their nefarious designs.
The Prime Minister said narrative of anarchy is spread deliberately on daily basis in order to foil the positive administrative changes brought by the government. He said it is for the first time in history of Punjab that criminal elements and land grabbers have been nabbed by the law.
Imran Khan vociferously said that his government will not come under any pressure, whatsoever. He said we have always taken on challenges and will continue doing so in future.
Turning to economic situation of the country, Imran Khan said the country was facing record deficit when PTI government came into power. The value of rupee was falling and the country was stuck in record debts. However, the situation has significantly improved and the value of rupee is stable now.
Now, he said, the world is looking towards Pakistan as a lucrative country for investment.
The Prime Minister assured the elected representatives that no area will be ignored in terms of development work.
He urged them to keep close contact with people in their constituencies and strive to resolve their problems on preferential basis.
The members apprised the Prime Minister of the difficulties being faced by them for resolution of social and development issues in their respective constituencies.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday said that the main purpose of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) manifesto is to eliminate corruption from the country but the organized mafia is promoting a negative image of the government.
Soon after arriving in Lahore on a day long visit, the prime minister met Chief Minister Punjab, Sardar Usman Buzdar, where he was briefed about the overall situation of the province, ongoing development projects, and welfare of the people.
The chief minister also presented a report to PM Imran Khan in which he was informed that Rs187 billion had been released till January 22 underthe annual development programme in Punjab. The report stated that Rs107billion has been spent on various projects.
The report further stated that the provincial government had imposed a ban on transferring funds of backward areas to another area or project.
The prime minister directed to speed up work on schemes under development programme and ensure timely use of funds released.
Imran Khan further said that efforts should be made to provide relief to the common man and the provincial ministers must ensure good governance in their concerned departments.
PM Imran Khan while directing the Punjab CM to deal more strictly with the land grabbers, profiteers and stockists said that such elements should be strictly punished.
Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Usman Dar on Sunday said that Prime Minister Imran Khan will distribute loan cheques among the successful applicants of Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme (YES) in Sindh on January 27 (today).
The cheque distribution ceremony of the YES – a component of Kamyab Jawan Programme – would be held in Sindh on Monday, said Usman Dar while talking to a state-run news agency.
“Punjab is going to be next destination for Kamyab Jawan Program as youth from the province would get the concessionary loans next month,” he said while hinting at the launching of the project in other provinces shortly.
The YES was launched under the banner of Kamyab Jawan Programme in October last year under which Rs100 billion allocated for the youth and loans ranging from Rs100,000 to Rs5 million would be disbursed among the youth coming up with practicable business ideas.
Usman Dar said the Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan Programme was rolled out specifically for job creation after holding 10-month long extensive deliberations.
It may be noted that Prime Minister Imran Khan will arrive in Karachi on a daylong visit to hold meetings with allies on Monday (today).
Chief Minister of Sindh and Governor will receive the prime minister at the airport, sources said.
A meeting between PM Imran Khan and Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah is also expected tomorrow, in which Governor Imran Ismail will also be present, sources said. The prime minister is also expected to hold a separate meeting with I.G. Sindh Police Kaleem Imam. – NNI