Govt initiates 36 projects of public welfare, economic development: PM

ISLAMABAD, May 9 (APP):Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday said the government realizing its manifesto had initiated at least 36 development projects of public welfare and economic development during its first eight-month tenure.
Chairing a meeting at Prime Minister Office regarding the steps taken by different government organizations under the corporate social responsibility (CSR), he said for the first time, the government had launched a comprehensive anti-poverty program ‘Ehsas’. The program would not only help the state provide education, health, employment and other basic needs to the poor segment of society but also ensure the well coordinated use of government resources for masses’ welfare, a Prime Minister Office statement said.
The meeting was attended by Special Assistants to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Yousuf Baig Mirza and Iftikhar Durrani, Spokesperson to Prime Minister Nadeem Afzal Chan, Dr Sani Nishtar, Secretary Finance Muhammad Younus Dhaga, Secretary Information Shafqat Jalil, NADRA chairman, National Bank president, Zarai Taraqqiati Bank Limited president, Bank of Punjab executive vice president, Bank of Khyber chief executive officer, Sui Northern and Sui Southern Gas companies managing directors and Pakistan State Oil managing director attended the meeting.
Provincial Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Tourism Muhammad Atif Khan was also present.
The prime minister said the government’s initiatives included the promotion of Pakistan’s tourism potential both locally and internationally, introduction of local government system, Clean and Green Pakistan project and measures to boost national economy and facilitate business community.
Besides, the government had also launched a remarkable project to build five million houses, steps to introduce technology and innovations in the agriculture sector, and steps to ensure speedy justice to the people.
The prime minister said the establishment of shelter homes across the country manifested that the government was alive to its responsibilities for the uplift of downtrodden people.
He called for massive awareness on government’s welfare works to ensure their participation in the projects as well as their successful completion.
Heads of different organizations apprised the prime minister on the steps being taken by their respective entities under the CSR.
The ZTBL president apprised the prime minister that an e-credit facility had been launched to provide interest-free loans to small farmers. Under this initiative, loans worth Rs11 billion had been provided to farmers in Punjab.
He said with the cooperation of its government, the project had also been launched in Azad Kashmir and discussion was in process with the provincial governments of Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he added.
Moreover, work was also in progress for digitization of the bank and providing automated teller machine facility to the farmers.
Khyber Bank chief executive officer told the meeting that the bank was striving to create employment opportunities in merged tribal areas besides providing scholarship and making the women economically self-dependent.
The bank was also providing business loans to the youth of ex-FATA ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs1 million.
The prime minister also lauded the steps taken by different organizations launched under the CSR.