ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has commended the efforts of Pakistan Navy for the defence of the country’s sea frontiers and provision of security to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project including Gwadar port.
The Prime Minister made the remarks during his visit to Naval Headquarters on Monday where he was given a detailed briefing about Pakistan Navy’s initiatives for the develospment of the maritime sector.
The Prime Minister assured to continue provision of all possible cooperation to the naval force. He said given its importance for economic development, the government is trying to promote the maritime sector. Imran Khan said that declaring 2020 as the year of the blue economy manifests the government’s emphasis on the maritime economy.
Naval Chief Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi thanked the PM for showing confidence over the capabilities of the naval forces. He said that the Pakistan Navy is fully prepared to protect the maritime interests and sea frontiers of the country.
The Prime Minister also interacted with principal staff officers during his visit.
Federal Ministers Pervez Khattak, Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh and Syed Ali Haider Zaidi and Special Assistant on National Security Dr Moeed Yusuf were also present on the occasion.
Earlier, upon his arrival at the Naval Headquarters in Islamabad, the Prime Minister was received by the chief of naval staff. A smartly turned-out contingent of Pakistan Navy personnel presented the guard of honour to the PM. The Premier laid a floral wreath at Shuhada’s Monument at the Naval Headquarters.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the industrial development is vital for economic growth and the government is committed to provide ease-of-doing-business to the investors.
Chairing the 7th meeting of Board of Approvals for Special Economic Zones at Islamabad on Monday, the Prime Minister said that economic activities generated by SEZs will increase job opportunities for local skilled and unskilled labour. The Prime Minister directed to provide utility services including electricity and gas to the SEZs on priority.
The meeting was apprised that there are 19 SEZs notified in the country.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Muhammad Hammad Azhar and Senator Shibli Faraz, Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razaq Dawood, Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mehmood Khan, chief secretaries of Sindh and Balochistan, and other senior officers of concerned departments. Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan and Deputy Governor State Bank joined the meeting via video link.
The Board approved SEZ Zone Enterprise Admission and Sale and Lease of Plot Regulations 2020.
The Board Meeting also approved launching of an online SEZ Management Information System whereby the approvals process will be digitalized and streamlined and it will also act as a one-window for investors and will ensure transparency.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has prayed for swift and full recovery of prominent religious scholar Maulana Tariq Jameel after the latter tested positive for COVID-19.
In a tweet on Monday, the Prime Minister said: “Praying for Maulana Tariq Jameel’s speedy and full recovery from the Covid-19.”
Maulana Tariq Jameel is currently hospitalised after testing positive for the novel coronavirus. He broke the news on social media on Sunday, asking the people to remember him in their prayers. He shared that he had been feeling unwell for the last few days. – TLTP