ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday reiterated that he wants all Pakistanis to come out today (Friday) from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM to show solidarity with the people of India-occupied Kashmir (IoK).
In a series of tweets today, the Prime Minister said this will send Kashmiris in occupied Kashmir a clear message that the entire Pakistani nation stands in solidarity with them and against Indian fascist oppression and the inhumane curfew.
He said we must send a strong message to Kashmiris that our nation stands resolutely behind them.
The Prime Minister said the daily injuring and killing of Kashmiri civilians, including women and children is all part of the ethnic cleansing agenda of the Modi Govt. He said annexation of occupied Kashmir is illegal. He said the plan to change demography of occupied Kashmir is a war crime under 4th Geneva Convention.
“We must send a strong message to Kashmiris that our nation stands resolutely behind them. So I am asking all Pakistanis for half an hour tomorrow stop whatever you are doing & come out on the road to show solidarity with the Kashmiri people,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has stated that the government’s main focus is to help the down-trodden segment of society.
Talking to Vice President of Asian Development Bank Shixin Chen in Islamabad, he said expanding tax base, institutional reforms, and out-of-the-box solutions for service delivery are the priority areas for achieving the goal of good governance.
The Vice President ADB briefed the Prime Minister regarding short, medium and long term support to Pakistan in various sectors of the economy, particularly trade and competitiveness.
He discussed various proposals for enhancing institutional capacity of the government that would help Pakistan achieve its development and economic stability agenda.
He said ADB wants to support the government’s flagship Ehsaas Program.
The Vice President ADB said Pakistan can play a very important role in promoting regional cooperation and integration in Central and West Asia region.
The Prime Minister directed Economic Affairs Division to fast-track the processing and implementation of ADB’s projects so as to facilitate ADB’s support towards economic prosperity of Pakistan and its citizens.
Vice President ADB briefed the Prime Minister regarding short, medium and long term support to Pakistan in various sectors of the economy, particularly trade and competitiveness. He stated that Pakistan, being a founding member, is an important partner of ADB. The Vice President ADB discussed various proposals for enhancing institutional capacity of the Government that would help Pakistan achieve its development and economic stability agenda.
Chen noted that Pakistan can play a very important role in promoting regional cooperation and integration in Central and West Asia region. He informed the Prime Minister that he had fruitful meetings with SAPM on Social Protection & Poverty Alleviation Dr. Sania Nishtar and ADB wants to support the Government’s flagship Ehsaas Program.
The Prime Minister said that his government’s main focus is to help the down-trodden alleviate from poverty and that this is his personal mission. Expanding tax base, institutional reforms, and out-of-the-box solutions for service delivery are the priority areas for achieving the goal of good governance, stated the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister was informed that Minister Economic Affairs has extended invitation on Prime Minister’s behalf to President ADB for visiting Pakistan.
The Prime Minister directed Economic Affairs Division to fast-track the processing and implementation of ADB’s projects so as to facilitate ADB’s support towards economic prosperity of Pakistan and its citizens.
Meanwhile, Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has stated that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s address to the UN General Assembly next month will be historic.
Amid media interaction in Rawalpindi on Thursday, he said the present government is effectively highlighting Kashmir dispute at the international level.
The Minister said we have shut down Samjhauta Express and Thar Express trains to express solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiri people against the unilateral actions of fascist Modi.
Meanwhile, Shixin Chen, Vice President of Asian Development Bank (ADB) along with Senior Advisor Ehsan Khan and Country Director ADB for Pakistan Ms. Xiaohong Yang called on Prime Minister Imran Khan at PM Office Thursday.
Minister for Economic Affairs Muhammad Hamad Azhar, Advisor on Finance Dr. Abdul Hafiz Sheikh and senior officials were present during the meeting.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday directed to submit the proposal in the cabinet within a month which will ensure better Hajj facilities to pilgrims.
A review meeting of Hajj operations 2019, chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan, was held. The meeting was attended by Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Dr. Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Establishment Muhammad Shahzad Arbab, Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Foreign Secretary and other senior officers.
Muhammad Shahzad Arbab, who was specifically appointed by the Prime Minister to oversee the management of the Hajj, gave a detailed overall briefing on the arrangements of Hajj to PM Imran Khan.
PM Imran was briefed that all the arrangements made before and after the Hajj for the pilgrims performing Hajj on official quota are looked over by the government of Pakistan under Hajj mission whereas Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina during Hajj days are administrated by the Saudi authorities.
The Prime Minister was informed that two lakh Hajj quotas have been allocated for distribution to 1,23,316 government schemes and 76,684 private companies. To provide the best medical facilities to the pilgrims, two major hospitals, eleven dispensaries and fourteen small dispensaries were established and the best medical facilities were provided to the pilgrims.
Imran Khan was informed that accommodation for 112600 people was arranged in central Madinah, along with excellent travel facilities for pilgrims under government quota. The best catering companies were also hired for the pilgrimage, PM was informed. – NNI