*PM Imran wants Karachi Transformation Plan to be finalised in 1-week
Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives to finalise the proposed ‘Karachi Transformation Plan’ after taking all stakeholders on board so that it can be accepted and implemented without further delay.
Imran Khan issued these directives during a detailed briefing given to him, which was attended by Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Governor Sindh Imran Ismail, Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Zaidi, Chairman NDMA Lt. Gen. Muhammad Afzal, secretaries of relevant ministries and senior officers in person and through video link.
According to the PM Office, PM was updated about Karachi’s problems relating to clean drinking water, sewerage, solid waste management and transport. He was and apprised of the proposals aimed at permanent solution to these problems. A presentation on Karachi Transformation Plan prepared through Planning Ministry was also given in the meeting.
Referring to the problems of Karachi and the development needs of Pakistan’s economic hub, the Prime Minister said that the development of Pakistan is connected to the development of Karachi.
Expressing that he completely understands the challenges that the people living in Karachi are facing for years now, the premier said the government can’t turn a blind eye to the plight of the people and the federation will play its full role for the solution and development of Karachi’s problems.
Imran Khan directed to finalize the plan to address Karachi’s problems and development requirements” and it should assist finding a permanent solution to issues like solid waste management, water shortage, cleaning of nullahs, sewerage and transport.
The meeting comes a week after Karachi was flooded through devastating rain that claimed greater than 30 lives.
The port city of Karachi had received the heaviest rainfall in a single day in 53 years. Roads were inundated with water, and, in various areas, houses were flooded with rain water as well. Power supply and mobile signals were disrupted for days because of damage to infrastructure.
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The rain, once again, exposed the poor infrastructure and drainage system of the financial hub of Pakistan.
On August 29, PM had stated that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) were all set to work together to resolve three major issues of the metropolitan city Karachi.
Days after the federal and Sindh governments planned to set aside their differences for the betterment of Karachi, the premier said that the PTI and PPP governments had planned to immediately start working together for cleaning of nullahs, devising a permanent solution to the solid waste disposal and sewerage problems and ensuring water supply to the city.
Following the devastation of the metropolis, the Prime Minister Imran Khan had promised that his government would not abandon the city’s people in their time of crisis. It is also said that Govt to provide conducive atmosphere for business activities. Meanwhile, Prime Minister also said that provision of conducive environment for profitable businesses in Pakistan the foremost priority of the government. Talking to a delegation of American Business Council (ABC) during a meeting, Imran Khan also said that the government has proclaimed incentives for the construction sector so that not only this sector could thrive, but also its allied industries could also progress. He also assured the delegation that all problems faced through the business community were removed.
The Prime Minister moreover said that a high-level committee had been constituted for the promotion of small and medium levels businesses and removal of all the hurdles in that regard. He also directed his Advisers on Commerce and Finance to consider the proposals presented by the delegation so that implementation of feasible suggestions could be ensured. The delegation of the American Business Council (ABC) also presented to Imran Khan an additional cheque worth Rs 17 million for PM’s Corona Relief Fund on behalf of the Council. Earlier, the Council had donated Rs 20 million to PM’s Corona Relief Fund. The delegation appreciated government for facilitating the business community with dissimilar initiatives particularly the steps taken under ease of doing business. The members of the delegation briefed the Prime Minister Imran Khan of the business activities and related issues of their respective companies. The business-friendly strategies of the government of Pakistan had encouraged the American companies and they wanted to more enlarge their investment in the country, the delegation members said. They also presented to Prime Minister dissimilar proposals regarding further facilitating the business community. The meeting was also attended by Adviser on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Chairman Investment Board Atif Bukhari and other senior officials.