PM says Rs35 trillion returned as repayment, loans interests – The Nation

MALAKAND/ SWAT - Prime Minister Imran Khan said Friday that his government was working for the promotion of technical education and information technology to ensure sustainable economic growth which would ultimately help generate more jobs and empower countrys youth.

Addressing the inauguration function of new block at Malakand University, the Prime Minister said developed nations success was attributed to the priorities, they accorded to quality education, research and knowledge based economy and that is why his government was investing on human resource development for rapid economic growth and generate more employment opportunities.

He said NUML University was providing quality education to thousands of aspiring students and hoped it would soon become on a par with the Oxford University. Al Qadir University would be completed by this September and it would also become a hub of quality education and research works, he added.

The Prime Minister said the countrys wealth had been stolen for the past 30 years and its plunderers had either taken shelter in hospitals or fled away abroad to escape accountability. Happiness, he remarked, could only be achieved by following the right path and serving people with dedication and commitment.

The Prime Minister said there was no short cut in life for achieving goals and all objectives could be achieved through hard work and professionalism, adding aimless life destroyed potential of individuals.

Imran Khan said Pakistan possessed all the potential to become a developed country and great responsibility lied on the educational institutions by bringing intellectual revolution among students as per Quaid e Azam and Allama Iqbals vision.

He said when his government took over the countrys reigns it was facing massive loans burden and bank default and national kitty was almost empty. With the support of friendly countries and his governments strong economic policies, he said, the country was now heading towards a right direction of economic stability and prosperity.

The country, prime minister said had come out of difficult economic situation now and his government had returned a record Rs6.2 trillions interest loans during last two and a half years, whereas, PMLN could only repay Rs3 trillions during the same period. In comparison, his government had returned Rs35 trillion as repayment and loans interests whereas PMLN had paid back only Rs20 trillions, he informed.

The Prime Minister said the government was focusing on mega development projects to generate economic and financial resources. In addition to two mega projects of Bhasha and Mohmand dams to meet energy needs, Ravi City was also being constructed in Lahore to increase revenue and promote economic activities he added.

Priority, he said was being given to the construction industry keeping in view its enormous potential to generate employment opportunities, besides providing low-cost housing to poor, labourers, farmers and have-nots. Thirty industries would be directly benefited from the promotion of construction industry in Pakistan, he added.

Following construction of Chashma Right Bank Canal (CRBC), he said over 300,000 acres of land would be irrigated in DI Khan and adjoining districts that would bring green revolution in southern districts of the KP.

He said the area on right bank of the River Indus was the most suitable option for Olive plantation and a substantial revenue could be generated by promoting its cultivation, besides, saving hefty revenue being spent on edible oils import.

The Prime Minister also hinted to soon announce a new policy for the further promotion of agriculture sector in the country. Imran Khan said promotion of tourism in the country was the cornerstone of PTI governments policy and the domestic tourism had now taken off, especially in the KP.

He said Malaysia was earning about $20billion, Turkey $40billion, Switzerland from $60billion to $80 billion from tourism and Pakistans northern areas including Gilgit Baltistan and KP have more land than Switzerland where skill sports could be developed to generate substantial revenue for the national kitty

Malaysia, he said had achieved remarkable success by promoting cottage and others industries due to the prudent leadership of its Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohammad. Earlier, the Prime Minister was briefed about salient features of the newly inaugurated block in Malakand University.

Upon his arrival, the Prime Minister was received by Chief Minister KP Mahmood Khan and Vice Chancellor University of Malakand.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday visited state-of-the-art Swat Expressway where he inaugurated three newly constructed tunnels in it. Flanked by Federal Minister for Communication and Works Murad Saeed, the Prime Minister was welcomed by Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shah Farman, Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and Director General Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) Maj Gen Kamal Azfar. DG FWO briefed the PM about salient features of the project and said that the 80 kilometers long expressway has seven interchanges, three tunnels measuring 1266 , 271 and 324 meters long respectively. Later the PM visited the sites of new constructed tunnels.

Swat expressway is a gift of PTI Government for people of KP especially for entire Malakand Division comprising districts Swat, Dir Lower, Dir Upper, Chitral Lower, Chitral Upper, Bajaur, Buner and Shangla

The expressway commenced from Karnal Sher interchange Swabi district on Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway and concluded at Chakdara in Dir Lower. Former Chief Minister KP Pervez Khattak had performed its ground breaking on August 25, 2016.

The ECNEC had recently approved acquisition of 10,000 kanal land for 81 kilometers long Swat Expressway Phase-II from Chakdara to Fatehpur Madayn to be constructed with an estimated cost of Rs 37 billion and Rs 20 billion for land cost.

The completion of first phase of Swat Expressway has opened entire Malakand Division for trade, business and tourism besides significantly reduced distance between Peshawar and Swat to nearly two hours and transportation cost. Before construction of the Swat Expressway, about four hours were consumed to reach Peshawar from Mingora Swat due to narrow Malakand Pass.

Kuwait FM meets PM

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan underscored the need for forging deeper economic, trade and investment cooperation between Pakistan and Kuwait. He expressed these views during a meeting with Foreign Minister of Kuwait, Dr Ahmed Nasser Al-Sabah here on Friday.

The Prime Minister appreciated the two countries working closely to ensure ease of travel and enhancing people-to-people linkages. The Kuwaiti Foreign Minister also delivered a letter from the Kuwaiti Prime Minister. The Prime Minister thanked the Kuwaiti leadership for the care afforded to Pakistani expatriates during the pandemic and urged further strengthening of this strong bond of friendship between the two countries.

PM, Attorney General discuss legal, constitutional matters

Attorney General of Pakistan Khalid Javed Khan called on Prime Minister Imran Khan here on Friday.

Legal and Constitutional matters were discussed in the meeting. Also Pir of Sial Sharif, Pir Qasim Sialvi called on Prime Minister Imran Khan here on Friday.

During the meeting, matters regarding the registration of Dargahs (shrines) and the promotion of Islamic teachings were discussed.

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PM says Rs35 trillion returned as repayment, loans interests - The Nation