Manend Team 
SUKKUR, (MANEND NEWS): Prime Minister Imran Khan has
announced a mega development package worth 446 billion rupees for
socio-economic progress of the backward districts in Sindh.
Addressing a cheque distribution ceremony under Kamyab Jawan
program in Sukkur on Friday, PM Imran Khan said the materialization
of the package will begin within a month. The Prime Minister said the
package that includes Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway and of Nai Gaj
dam will greatly benefit the people of Sindh.
He said the government will make every possible effort for uplift of the
backward areas across the country and help the people of Sindh for
improvement in their living standard.
Imran Khan said the federal government disbursed thirty-three
percent of the total funds among deserving families in Sindh under
Ehsaas Programme during the coronavirus pandemic. He said the
network of Ehsaas Programme is being extended to twelve million
people.
He said the PTI government’s primary focus is to enhance the living
standard of the low income people. He said the government has
provided mega development programmes to the backward areas
across the country, including Balochistan and erstwhile tribal districts.
He emphasized on making the youth skilled. He said the government
will take steps to develop sports grounds across the country.
The Prime Minister asked the Sindh Government to review its decision
of cancellation of the NOC for developing Bundal Island near Karachi
for economic progress of the people of Sindh as well as other parts of
the country. Prime Minister said that $40 billion investment will come
in this project from abroad and it will help building the forex reserves
of Pakistan, adding that when the forex reserves of Pakistan will
increase it will strengthen the Pakistani rupee. He said that the
petroleum prices were decreased on Thursday due to strengthening of
Pakistani rupee against the dollar.
He said that by developing the Bundle Island, Pakistan could earn
billions in revenue, provide employment to the people of Sindh and
also earn foreign exchange reserves.
The premier said it was unfortunate that while the project was good to
go, the Sindh government rescinded the no objection certificate it had
earlier provided to the federal government to carry out development
work there.
PM Imran Khan said his government had told the Sindh government
that profit earned from the development on the island would be
handed over to Sindh.
He hoped the Sindh government would review its decision and provide
the government with the NOC to start work at the island, adding that it
would increase the country’s foreign exchange reserves and
strengthen Pakistan’s economy.
PM Imran Khan said that PML-N government had returned Rs 20
thousand billion in form of loans and interest during its first two and
half years but PTI government has returned Rs 35 thousand billion in
form of loans and interest during the two and half years.
The prime minister said he considered the people of every province,
regardless of whether the PTI ruled there or not, as his own people.
“We will focus our energies on uplifting the downtrodden people,” he
said. “I promise the people of Sindh that I will do everything in my
power to bring about a change in your lives,” he added.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister distributed cheques among
deserving people under Kamyab Jawan Programme. Special Assistant
on Poverty Alleviation Dr. Sania Nishtar briefed the Prime Minister on
Emergency Cash programme.
The 446 billion rupees development package envisages construction of
Nai Gaj dam, which will help irrigate 28800 acres of land; and 306
kilometre long Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway.
Two hundred thousand acres of land will also be rehabilitated which
will create livelihood opportunities for the people.
Under the package, gas supply will be ensured to 160 villages in the
deprived districts of province whilst provision of thirty thousand annual
electricity connections is also part of it.
Education reforms are also part of Sindh package under which ratio of
higher education will be brought to fifty two percent whilst for quality
education teacher-student ratio will be brought at 1:20. Fourteen
passport offices will also be upgraded.
Earlier on Friday, PM Imran Khan had arrived in Sukkur to announce a
historic mega development package worth 446 billion rupees for socio-
economic progress of backward districts of Sindh.
He was accompanied by Federal Ministers Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr.
Fehmida Mirza, Ali Haider Zaidi, Asad Umar, and Muhammad Mian
Soomro; Governor Sindh Imran Ismail and Special Assistants Dr. Sania
Nishtar and Usman Dar.
