Govt undertaking massive development programme: official

FAISALABAD: Despite financial crunch, the government is undertaking a massive development programme to make Pakistan self-reliant, particularly in the agriculture sector, an official said.

Addressing a function after laying the foundation stone of a civil dispensary and water filtration plant in Nasir Town, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib quoted the global inflation and said that the petrol, which was available at $40/barrel has jumped to $85/barrel.

Similarly, other commodities have also recorded more than 100 per cent increase in their prices, which has created problems for the economies like Pakistan. However, despite this, Prime Minister Imran Khan is striving hard to transform Pakistan in a true Islamic state on the pattern of Riyasat-e-Madina, he added.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has already provided health card to every citizen in KP, while in Punjab, health cards would be delivered by March 2022, which would ensure free health facilities to each family up to Rs1 million/annum.

Similarly, the government has introduced Kamyab Jawan programme. Akhuwat has so far disbursed small loans worth Rs50 billion to 1.5 million individuals so that they could start their own businesses.

Habib said that the government is also going to launch 200,000 scholarships. Under this programme, the students could get computer training and earn from Rs50,000 to Rs100,000/month.

It will also help the young talented students who have unique ideas but are starved of cash, to get long-term loans at only 3 per cent to 5 per cent markup, he said, adding that under this programme, the government had already disbursed Rs30 billion.

A loan of Rs1 million is available without any guarantee. Similarly, loans were also offered for the construction of houses, he said, adding that the government has approved loans worth Rs80 billion and of it Rs19 billion has so far been disbursed.

The state minister said the government has plugged all the loopholes to plunder national exchequer and build spatial palaces abroad.

Habib said that mafias are out to foil our productive efforts for the uplift of the country. Faisalabad had become a graveyard of power-looms but we have revived its dynamism and now textile sector is working with full capacity. The construction sector has also become the most profitable business.

The government has performed well, despite of all impacts of coronavirus. “We have to face a multidimensional war against the looters, plunderers, mafias and corrupt elements. We will flush out ill-doings of the last 40 years.”

He said the previous rulers had pushed Pakistan on the verge of economic collapse and now they are projecting themselves as the champions of democracy.

The previous rulers established costly power houses, which have become a liability on the nation but the present government is building Mohmand, Dasu, Diamer-Basha and other dams, which will generate cheapest electricity of 10,000MW, he added.

About the coronavirus pandemic, Habib said that during this phase, the government distributed Rs150 billion cash among the people.

Similarly, the government also provided relief to small traders and shopkeepers on their electricity bills for three months. The looters are now instigating the masses to come out on roads but they themselves are sitting aboard to enjoy a luxurious life.

The state minister said now the government has focused on agriculture, which will not only weed out rural poverty but also add substantial increase in the domestic production.

About the NA-108 constituency, he said, the government has decided to resolve all the civic problems. A network of dispensaries was laid, while each union council will have at least one filtration plant.

One filtration plant is already working in Nasir Town, while the government has laid the foundation stone for the second one.

Habib said that approximately Rs40 million has been earmarked for the development projects, electricity, road construction, sewer and provision of other amenities in CC-87.

Similarly, Rs50 million is being spent on sewerage and roads in CC-88. Some projects had already been operational, while the remaining would be completed during this financial year.

He said 900-feet portion of a road from Malkhanwala to Halal Road is near completion, while the remaining road will be completed with an estimated cost of Rs30 million during the second phase.

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has allocated Rs300 million for the minority fund. Under this programme, the Christian localities, including Dawood Nagar, Barkat Pura, Ibn-e-Maryam Colony, Khushhal Town, Penta Ground, etc, would be transformed into model colonies where all amenities, including potable water and modern sewerage system will be available, he added.