-Chairs high-level meeting to address civic problems of Karachi
-Says government very keen to resolve Karachi’s issues-Rejects hike in fuel prices
-Orders tough action against people fanning sectarianism
By Ajmal Khan Yousafzai
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday directed concerned authorities to finalize ‘Karachi Transformation Plan’ during current week in consultation with all stakeholders for its in-principle approval and implementation.
Chairing a high-level meeting to address civic problems of Karachi, the Prime Minister said the federal government was cognizant of sufferings of people and vowed to play its role in mitigating them.
Governor Sindh Imran Ismael, Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar, Maritime Minister Syed Ali Zaidi (through video-link), Chairman National Disaster Management Authority Lt. Gen Muhammad Afzal and secretaries of concerned ministers attended the meeting.Khan said the country’s progress and development was linked with the prosperity of its economic hub Karachi.
The prime minister was updated about Karachi’s problems relating to clean drinking water, sewerage, solid waste management and transport and apprised of the proposals for their permanent solution. A presentation on Karachi Transformation Plan prepared by Planning Ministry was also shown in the meeting.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday rejected the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) summary suggesting an increase in petroleum prices for the month of September.
“The federal government will not increase fuel prices as people are already going through difficult times due to coronavirus and recent rainfalls and floods across the country,” said PM Imran in a statement. He further said that the incumbent government will not put more burden on flood-hit masses by increasing petroleum prices.
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) in its summary had proposed an increase of about Rs5 per litre in the prices of petrol and HSD for the month of September. Last month, the federal government hiked the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) up to Rs5 per litre ahead of Eidul Adha.
The notification for the new prices read that the rate of petrol was increased up to Rs3.86 per litre and Rs5 per litre for high-speed diesel.
Moreover, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday thanked the nation on peaceful observing of Ashura, however warned “tough action” against those fanning sectarianism.“I want to thank our nation for the peaceful observing of Ashura in the country…Unfortunately, information has come to me of elements who tried to ignite flames of sectarianism on this occasion,” the Prime Minister tweeted.
The Prime Minister warned that strict action would be taken against those involved in spreading hate among different sects.“I will be taking very tough action against them,” he said.
Also, A delegation of American Business Council Monday called on Prime Minister Imran Khan and presented an additional cheque worth Rs 17 million for PM’s Corona Relief Fund on behalf of the Council. The Council had, earlier, also donated Rs20 million to PM’s Corona Relief Fund. The prime minister, on the occasion, said that provision of conducive environment for profitable businesses and removal of all problems faced by the business community were the foremost priority of the government.
The government on priority basis had announced incentives for the construction sector so that not only this sector could thrive, but also its allied industries could also progress, he added.During the meeting, Advisor on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Chairman Investment Board Atif Bukhari and other senior officials were present, PM office media wing in a press release said.
