ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said that India completely failed in its nefarious designs against Pakistan as the acknowledgement of Islamabad’s efforts by the US President Donald Trump a big diplomatic success.
He said this while presiding over a meeting of the federal cabinet. During the meeting, the prime minister directed the cabinet members to highlight diplomatic successes.
The cabinet members said that Indian PM Narendra Modi failed to woo the US president to deliver an anti-Pakistan statement.
It is pertinent here to mention that while addressing a press conference, the US President Donald Trump again offers to mediate between nuclear-arch rivals India and Pakistan. He said that he offered Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mediate between India and Pakistan.
The US president said, “I have good equation with Prime Minister Imran Khan and I will do whatever I can do to help because my relationship with both gentlemen (PM Modi & PM Imran) is so good.”
Regarding Taliban peace deal, Trump said, “We are working on a peace deal with the Taliban and everyone is happy even people who are against me 99.9% of the time. People are really happy to see a peace deal being struck. Other administrations have been trying to do something.”
He said that the US is engaged in talks with the Taliban with a view to end 18-year war in Afghanistan that has been a major strain on the US militarily and politically, adding that he thinks India will “like to see it happen” (the peace deal).”
Trump said that he had raised the issue of religious freedom with Modi in their private talks. But he described the prime minister s answer as “incredible,” leaving doubt he raised forceful objections.
On Monday, the US President received a red-carpet welcome in the world’s biggest democracy Monday, addressing a huge rally at a mega cricket stadium on a maiden official visit to India that is big on photo opportunities but likely short on substance.
Trade tensions have grown between the US and India, the world’s fifth-biggest economy, as Trump’s “America First” drive collides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s protectionist “Make in India” mantra.
While sharing concerns about China and deepening their defence ties, India has bristled at Trump’s offer to mediate in the Kashmir dispute with Pakistan, and at unease in Washington over a citizenship law criticised as anti-Muslim.
Visiting Modi’s home state of Gujarat, Trump and First Lady Melania visited independence hero Mahatma Gandhi’s ashram, where Modi gifted him a “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” three wise monkey’s statue.
The billionaire and the tea seller’s son then headed to a new cricket stadium – the biggest in the world – where Trump addressed a crowd of around 100,000.
“Relationship with Pakistan is a very good one. Thanks to these efforts, we are beginning to see signs of big progress with Pakistan and we are hopeful for reduced tensions, greater stability and the future of harmony for all of the nations of South Asia,” Donald Trump said.
Excited spectators had queued from 4:00 am for the “Namaste Trump” rally, reciprocating a “Howdy Modi” event in Houston last year. Workers rushed to finish the stadium and a wall that locals said was to hide a slum. Stray dogs, cows and monkeys were also kept away.
Later Monday Trump and Melania – dressed in an off-white jump suit and Indian sash alongside her husband in his usual suit and tie – flew to the Taj Mahal for sunset before the main official talks on Tuesday.
Parts of the white marble “jewel of Muslim art”, according to UNESCO, were given a mud-pack facial to remove stains, while efforts were made to lessen the stench of the adjacent river.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday reiterated the government’s firm resolve for not burdening the consumers with increased utility bills, by keeping the electricity and gas tariffs stable through out-of-box methods.
Briefing the media about the decisions of the Federal Cabinet, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said the previous governments adopted anti-people policies by not passing on the power and gas generation cost to the consumers. Moreover, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz regime did not increase the tariffs in the wake of Panama Papers case and 2018 for being the election year.
The prime minister, while chairing the cabinet meeting, advised the Ministry of Energy not to offset the power and gas generation cost by increasing their tariffs and instead find a way out by preparing a mechanism to revamp the obsolete structure of power sector, she added.
Dr Firdous said the cabinet deliberated on the challenges related to the transmission lines, which could not bear the load of over 18,000 megawatts, whereas in summer demands crossed 26,000 megawatts, causing disruption in power distribution system.
Moreover, the cabinet expressed the determination to hold the power pilferers accountable, besides use of the latest digital technology to control line losses and theft. It was informed that some 58,387 first information reports were registered against the power thieves in 2019.
The SAPM said the subsidized rate of Rs 5.35 per unit for the agriculture sector and for consumers using less than 300 units would continue as Rs 162 billion had been allocated in the budget for the purpose.
She said Special Assistant Dr Saia Nishtar briefed the cabinet about five pro-poor programmes launched under the PM’s Ehsaas Programme. The patronization of poor segments of the society by the government was a step towards realization of the dream of State of Madina, she added.
Dr Firdous said Minister for Education and Technical Training Shafqat Mehmood presented the Pakistan National Education Plan 2020, which was approved by the cabinet after a thorough debate. A unified curriculum would be introduced in all the educational institutional institutions, including religious seminaries whose students would be brought to the mainstream by providing them modern education facilities.
A comprehensive education policy would be prepared to enroll 22 million out of school children, she added.
She said the curriculum for grade 1 to 5 had been sent to National Curriculum Council whereas that of Grade 6 to 8 had been prepared, which would be presented at a national conference next month for approval.
Under the new educational policy, she said, mother languages would also be integrated in the curriculum. After 70 years, the students of Daras-e-Nizami would also benefit from information technology, she added.
She said under the Hunarmand Pakistan, 170,000 students would be empowered through technical training as industries, and small and medium enterprises would be involved in the youth’s career counseling process.
Dr Firdous said the government had decided to announce about 50,000 scholarships for the under-graduates.
She said the cabinet expressed its satisfaction over United States President Donald Trump’s acknowledgment of Pakistan’s positive role in the war against terrorism, which was a victory of the country’s positive narrative and an Indian defeat.
The SAPM, in a series of tweets, said Trump’s statement was an open admission of Pakistan’s efforts for the world peace. The prime minister, she said, remarked that the world leaders were acknowledging Pakistan’s positive role and stressed the need to further highlight the country’s achievements on the diplomatic front and its positive image.
The special assistant said the Federal Cabinet in principle decided to merge two separate bills related to the journalists’ safety, security, insurance and terrorism, and directed the ministry concerned to make a comprehensive law on the matter for approval.
She said the cabinet also expressed its satisfaction over the measures being taken to control inflation and their outcome in the shape of relief to the poor segments of society, besides the economy moving on an upward trajectory.
She said the prime minister assured support to the law minister and his team on their standing on the legal framework in line with the constitutional and legal parameters.
Dr Firdous asked the PML-N leadership to submit the authentic medical reports of Nawaz Sharif rather sending medical certificates of private laboratories. There was much difference in a medical report and a medical certificate.
They should tell the nation about the actual health condition of Nawaz Sharif and give access to the media to the hospital in the United Kingdom where he was under treatment, she added.
Nawaz Sharif, she said, was given relief by the government on humanitarian grounds and allowed to go to London for medical treatment, but he was found there in restaurants. The PML-N leaders should now stop misleading the innocent people of the country about the health of Nawaz Sharif as despite several reminders they had failed to submit his medical reports, which were compulsory for further such relief, she added.
Dr Firdous also asked PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif to return back to Pakistan from the UK. She asked Rana Sanaullah to brief the people about Nawaz Sharif’s fresh surgery and also name of the hospital where he was admitted for any such surgery.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday directed immediate removal of his pictures from the utility stores.
Showing his resentment over installation of his portraits outside the utility stores, PM Imran Khan said his motive is only to serve the masses and publicity will not tolerate at any cost.
Following the directives of the premier, the utility stores administration removed portraits of PM Imran Khan across the country.
The administration has been directed not to use any political pictures in future.
Earlier on January 6, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan had formally approved a relief package for utility stores across the country, bringing the price of regular use commodity items down considerably. – NNI