SUKKUR: Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced a mega development package, worth Rs446 billion, for socio-economic progress of the backward districts of Sindh.
Addressing a cheque distribution ceremony under the Kamyab Jawan programme on Friday, the prime minister said the materialisation of the package will begin within a month.
The prime minister said the package that includes Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway and of Nai Gaj dam projects will greatly benefit the people of Sindh. He said the government will make every possible effort for uplift of the backward areas across the country and help the people of Sindh for improvement in their living standard.
Imran Khan said the federal government disbursed thirty-three percent of the total funds among deserving families in Sindh under Ehsaas Programme during the pandemic. He said the network of Ehsaas Programme is being extended to twelve million people.
He said the PTI government’s primary focus is to enhance the living standard of the low income people. He said the government has provided mega development programmes to the backward areas across the country, including Balochistan and the tribal districts. He emphasised on making the youth skilled. He said the government will take steps to develop sports grounds across the country.
“Sindh has always been deprived of the basic facilities, while the underprivileged have had no rights,” said the prime minister. “If we can equip the youth with skills and education, we can turn them into an asset for the country,” he added.
Referring to Covid-19 lockdowns, the prime minister said, “We didn’t shut down the country following the Covid-19 outbreak, as was the case with several developed countries, and reaped the benefits”.
The prime minister asked the Sindh government to review its decision of cancellation of the NOC for developing Bundal Island near Karachi for economic progress of the people of Sindh as well as other parts of the country.
“I urge the Sindh government to review its decision so that the returns from the island could uplift Sindh’s economic status. I represent every province of Pakistan; no part of the country is to witness less development than the other” he maintained.
On the occasion, the prime minister distributed cheques among deserving people under Kamyab Jawan Programme. Special Assistant on Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar briefed the Prime Minister on the Emergency Cash programme.
The Rs446 billion development package envisages construction of Nai Gaj dam, which will help irrigate 28800 acres of land; and 306 kilometre long Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway. Two hundred thousand acres of land will also be rehabilitated which will create livelihood opportunities for the people.
Under the package, gas supply will be ensured to 160 villages in the deprived districts of the province whilst provision of thirty thousand annual electricity connections is also part of it.
Education reforms are also part of the Sindh package under which the ratio of higher education will be brought to fifty two percent whilst for quality education teacher-student ratio will be brought at 1:20. Fourteen passport offices will also be upgraded.
Earlier, the premier arrived in the city on a day’s trip and is also scheduled to visit Karachi where he will meet with top government and public representatives.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has paid a special tribute to the police force for its heroic stand against organised violence intended to create chaos to blackmail the government.
In a tweet on Friday, the prime minister said that four policemen were martyred and over 600 got injured in violent protests. Acknowledging the sacrifices of the police personnel, the premier said the “nation is indebted to these heroes” and assured that the families of the martyred police officials would be looked after by the government.
Earlier this week, supporters of the now proscribed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan rioted across the country for almost three days after the arrest of their party chief. Armed with sticks, canes and in some instances guns, they went on a rampage, causing loss of life and damaging properties worth millions of rupees.
“We tried our best to solve the issues [with TLP] through negotiations but they had extremely dangerous intentions and weren’t agreeing to go back on their agenda for April 20 [march],” Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid, accompanied by Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Minister Noorul Haq Qadri, explained at a news conference in the federal capital earlier. – TLTP