SAHIWAL - Prime Minister Imran Khan said Friday that the alliance of opposition parties was bound to fail as people only take to streets against corruption and not to protect it.

While talking to reporters here in Sahiwal, PM Imran Khan said the corrupt elements got together to blackmail the government but they will not be given any NRO. The Prime Minister said it is the utmost effort of the government to ensure transparency and end corrupt practices in the Senate elections.

He said apart from moving the court, we are set to introduce constitutional amendment in the National Assembly for open ballot in the polls of upper house.

Expressing the commitment to ensure rule of law, the Prime Minister said the corrupt politicians and the land grabbers will only land in prisons. Responding to a question about foreign funding case, Imran Khan said it is our desire that the case reaches the logical conclusion. He said there should be scrutiny of the funds of all political parties.

While addressing at the ceremony of cheque distribution under Ehsaas programme and provision of tractors under Kamyab Jawan programme, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that the government was taking steps to ensure sustainable economic growth by promoting industrial and agro-based economy.

The Prime Minister said that 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 that due to prudent policies of the government, the industrial units in Gujranwala, Sialkot and Faisalabad industries experienced boom even during the pandemic. On launch of Rs18 billion development projects in Sahiwal, he said the government was firm on the uplift of under-developed areas of the country.

Upcoming Local Govt system will ensure power devolution 

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 Rs400 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 backgrounds. 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. 

Action against land grabbers

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday directed strict action against the mafia involved in illegal occupation of land so as to stop exploitation of the poor and weaker sections of society. The Prime Minister issued directives to the local administration to hold Open Kutchery (forums) every month for resolution of issues on priority basis.

The Prime Minister stated this while presiding over a meeting with parliamentarians and members from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, belonging to Sahiwal division during his visit to the city.

Those who met the Prime Minister included Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal, Syed Samsam Ali Bukhari, Malik Hauman Ahmed Langrial, Chaudhry Muhammad Nauraiz Shakoor, Sheikh Muhammad Chauhan, Malik Faisal Jalal Dhakoo, Mehr Irshad Hussain Kathia, Waheed Asghar Dogar Syed Muhammad Muzaffar Shah Khagga, Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan, Faizullah Kamoka, Shakil Ahmed Niazi, Rana Aftab Ahmed, Nabeela Awan, Dr Mazhar Shirazi and Waseem Ramay. 

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar and Chief Minister Sardar Usman Bazdar were also present in the meeting. The meeting also discussed several issues including political matters, public welfare and development projects relating to health, education and agricultural sector.

Prime Minister Imran Khan regretted that in the past, developed funds were diverted to few cities of Punjab only, ignoring the entire province. He recalled that the government faced fiscal deficit when came to power, however said, the prudent policies led to improvement in economy.

The parliamentarians presented proposals to the Prime Minister regarding relief for farmers keeping in view of the agricultural importance of Sahiwal. They also apprised the Prime Minister about the issue of land grabbing and the action taken against the persons involved.

CM Sardar Usman Buzdar

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 Chichawatni 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.

On the other hand, he said, exploitation of farmers in the neighbouring India was on rise as hundreds took to streets in protest. To get tractors in the government’s scheme, he said farmers in the country could apply through a portal and assured transparency in distribution.

PM’s Special Assistant on Social Welfare and Dr Sania Nishtar said Rs 180 billion has so far been disbursed in the country under Ehsaas programme, with 504,000 households benefiting in Sahiwal.

She said several segments under the umbrella of Ehsaas project including Emergency Cash programme, Ehsaas Kifalat and stipends for primary school students were being carried out in a transparent manner.

Adviser on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam said Sahiwal would get 30 water filtration plants and would benefit 0.5 million people and a forest area spread on 100 acres. He said Chichawatni would be declared as sanctuary to preserve forestation.