-Says Pakistan to be made strong industrial, agro-based economy
-Claims bidding already underway for seats in Senate elections
-Maintains PDM ‘failed’ because people never come out to protect rulers’ corruption
-Commends Buzdar govt for going after ‘Lahore’s biggest land grabber’
From Our
Correspondent
SAHIWAL: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said the government was taking steps to ensure sustainable growth through industrial and agro-based economy.
Addressing here at the ceremony of cheque distribution under Ehsaas programme and provision of tractors under Kamyab Jawan programme, the Prime Minister said the government was collaborating with China in learning techniques in agriculture under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The Prime Minister said Pakistan, particularly Punjab had immense potential in development in agriculture and livestock sectors, which could be exploited for the benefit of people.
He said the industrial units in Gujranwala, Sialkot and Faisalabad industries experienced boom even during the pandemic.
On launch of Rs 18 billion development projects in Sahiwal, he said the government was firm on the uplift of under-developed areas of the country.
Imran Khan said Sahiwal would be provided best facilities in the fields of health, education, road infrastructure and social welfare. He announced that every household across Punjab would get health insurance worth Rs 0.7 million by December.
He said the inauguration of Rs 400 million sewerage plant in Sahiwal would provide treat waste water, which would be diverted towards irrigation of the adjoining forest area.
The Prime Minister said reforestation was priority of the government as 10 billion tree plantation project was in progress on full swing.He said the upcoming local government system would ensure power devolution and result in providing facilities to people at their doorsteps.
Imran Khan lauded Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar and his team including Chief Secretary and Inspector General Punjab for nabbing the powerful illegal land occupants, some backed by a former prime minister and his family. “This is the real change when big dacoits are taken to task and brought to justice,” he said, adding that only those nations prosper that uphold the supremacy of law. He said Islam’s first socio-welfare State of Medina was also based on the principles of justice and equality for all.
The Prime Minister said the government would introduce uniform educational syllabus across the country, which would mainstream all students especially those from poor background. He said Ehsaas programme worked as a safety net for underdeveloped people, ensuring their free health, education and employment opportunities. Also, the Kamyab Jawan project has been serving poor by providing them easy loans, he added.
Mr. Khan said the opposition’s 10-party Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) was “bound to fail” and has failed because when the public takes to the streets it is always against the rulers and not to protect the corruption of the rulers. Prime Minister Imran said he had maintained in party meetings, cabinet meetings and while speaking to the media that the PDM was bound to fail. It failed because, according to him, the opposition leaders had made a mistake in assuming the people would come out to support them.
“Whenever [the] public comes out [in the streets] it is against the rulers, not to protect the corruption of the rulers,” he said, citing the examples of countries like Lebanon where protests are ongoing against the government. “The public has never come out to protect the corruption of a corrupt politician.” He said the PDM thought the people were “idiots” but according to him, “there is no bigger idiot than the one who considers the public to be naive.” This was proven when the PDM “failed to fill” the ground of Minar-i-Pakistan despite the PTI having done so four times because “it is filled only when the people of Lahore themselves walk and come to it,” the premier added.
“When the people of Lahore don’t come then it doesn’t matter how many people you bring from outside [the city] by bribing them with qeemay wale naan.” Senate horse-trading: The prime minister also addressed the issue of horsetrading in the Senate elections and use of bribery among members of parliament. He said this practice had been ongoing “since 30 years” where “rates” were set for lawmakers. He said the “money goes to the very top” on such occasions, revealing that he himself had been offered money in Senate elections.
He said the PTI had expelled 20 of its members after they were found guilty of taking Rs50 million for horsetrading in the 2018 Senate polls by an investigation committee. The premier stated that prices had “already begun being set” for the upcoming Senate elections, which he said was common knowledge to all political leaders and politicians. “We also know who is the political leader collecting money to buy the people,” Imran said, without giving away any names.
He termed the practice a “betrayal” with Pakistan because he said the Senate had a particular “status and role” since it represented the provinces in the federation. He said it reflected poorly on the kind of people who come to the Senate through money and questioned the ability of such lawmakers to represent their province. Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar said the province’s agro-based ministries were efficiently working as per the vision of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for the uplift of common man.
He said not only Sahiwal, but also Chicha Watni and Harappa would be provided best municipal services.Under the directive of Prime Minister Imran Khan, he said, the provincial government would hold consultations with National Highway Authority for connecting Sahiwal with motorway.
Adviser to PM on Youth Affairs Usman Dar said as agriculture was the backbone of the country, the government was keen to uplift farmers through relief packages.
