-Orders constitution of Border Management Division
By Ajmal Khan Yousafzai
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said that promotion of the construction sector will help boost economic activities and create new jobs for the youth.
Talking to Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority chairman, who called on him in Islamabad, the prime minister directed him to execute new projects by keeping in view all environmental and health aspects. He maintained that environmental protection was among the top priorities of the government.
The prime minister directed to leave no stone unturned in protecting the environment while executing the housing projects.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Islands Development Authority chairman was also called on the prime minister.
Earlier on October 8, Prime Minister Imran Khan had said that promotion of the construction sector will help boost economic activities in the country.
Presiding over a weekly meeting of National Coordination Committee for Housing, Construction and Development in Islamabad, PM Imran had said that the development of the construction sector was vital for restoration of the economy affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
On the occasion, he had directed the concerned authorities to provide all possible facilities to the construction sector.
Meanwhile, Mr Khan convened a session to further empower the border management system of Pakistan noting that while there are about 10 relevant ministries, there isn’t any focal institution on the federal level to deal with border-related matters.
The high-level huddle was attended by Special Assistant to Prime Minister on national security Moeed Yusuf, federal interior minister Ijaz Shah, and the military top brass, while other cabinet members were also part of the talks.
The briefing said that there are overall 10 federal or provincial ministries to oversee matters related to the border, however, it was underlined that a central federal department dedicated to border matters is not there.
There needs to be a department to document and record all the briefings and details coming in from all land, sea and air routes, the huddle concurred.
In the session Sunday, the briefing noted recent developments in border management systems installed at different border crossings and also on the progress on border fencing.
With the curb on illegal penetration routes and on smuggling the national economy has benefitted in terms of billions of rupees, said the briefing today.
Keeping in view the matters and discussion, the prime minister has sanctioned a border management division in the ministry of interior under the authority of additional secretary, while has directed all relevant offices to share information and data in the matter. The government believes in free but secure borders, the prime minister noted, adding that having secured borders steps to ensure trade be taken.
He instructed the huddle to take all necessary steps to encourage Pak-Afghan trade.
