MOHMAND – Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday firmly announced that thegovernment would no more increase gas and electricity tariffs as theinflation had been controlled and the prices of the commodities would movedownward now.
Addressing a huge public gathering after distributing Kafalat Cards amongdeservingpeople under anti-poverty Ehsaas program, he said: “I have decided not toincrease thepower tariff anymore because the people can’t afford anymore. I havedecided to takeall possible measures to bring down the power tariff in any way.”
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Nurul Haq Qadri, DefenceMinister Pervaiz Khattak, Communications Minister Murad Saeed, ChairpersonEhsaas Program Dr Sania Nishtar, Chief Minister of Khyber PakhtunkhwMehmood Khan and Governor Shah Farmanwere also present on the stage.
The prime minister said the prices had surged in the past due to thecontracts signed bythe previous government, agreeing the purchase of power and gas atexorbitant prices.The incumbent government was helpless due to such unjustified contracts andthe subsidies, provided by the government swelled the circular debt, headded.
He said the government would talk to the power producers, urging them tobring down thepower prices and close down the plants which were producing costlyelectricity as no moreburden could be shifted to the people and industries.
Similarly, he said due to the 15-year gas contract signed by the previousgovernment,Pakistan was getting gas supply at higher rates in the world.
The prime minister told the gathering that the government had startedrectifying the system to provide job opportunities to the people and bringdown the inflation. “We have started rectifying the system now. Don’tworry, difficult time is over. 2019 was even more difficult. Inflation hasbeen controlled and the prices (of the commodities) will come down,” heremarked.
The prime minister commenced his addressed by condemning the ongoingatrocities against the Muslims in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and NewDelhi.
He assured the eight million Kashmir Muslims living under lock down by theIndian occupation forces that whole of the Pakistani nation stood by themand prayed for their steadfastness.
He said he had been warning the world that if unchecked, the Modi’s Hindusupremacist agenda would lead to bloodshed that had happened in New Delhi.
He reiterated that the extremist ideology would not only target the Muslimsbut other communities including Christians, Sikhs and Dalits.
The prime minister reiterated that all those who had create artificialinflation by hoarding the food commodities would be punished.
The prime minister said the launch of Kafalat Card in Mohmand area was inpursuance of the principles of Madinah State which took the responsibilityof its poor people including their education, health and employment.
Referring to the sacrifices rendered by the people of tribal areas, he saideven they were the main sufferers of the law and order situation in Karachi.
He congratulated the chief minister and governor of KP over merger oftribal areas into KP and election in tribal areas as the electedrepresentatives would highlight their issues at the parliament.
He told the gathering the government had selected Mohmand area fordeveloping massive olive orchards to reduce the import bill for olive oilbesides producing quality product.
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Besides, a marble industrial estate would be developed in Mohmand to createjob opportunities and all the components of Ehsaas Program would beavailable for the people of Mohmand to uplift them.
Moreover, he also announced that a project for water supply from MohmandDam to the area would be executed. He tasked Murad Saeed to ensure launchof 3G and 4G cellular services in the area.
To a demand for opening of Afghan border, the prime minister said therestoration of peace in Afghanistan would greatly benefit Pakistanparticularly the tribal people vis-à-vis the creation of employment andeconomic activity.
The prime minister advised the people not to vote a party with corruptleadership as thecountries were not poor, for dearth of resources but due corrupt rulers.
Pointing out to the Sharif family without naming them, the prime ministersaid whole of thefamily had fled abroad.
He said after he took up the Panama issue, he had faced multiple cases andsix in theelection commission and had produced 40-year contracts and documents in mydefence.
“Did I flee to London? Neither did I flee nor complained of victimization.When someonedoes not commit corruption, he needs not to flee,” he added.
In his address, Chief Minister Mehmood Khan said the government wouldfulfill all thecommitment made with the tribal people including the absorption of around30,000 Leviespersonnel in KP Police and enforcement of judicial system.
He said the allocation of Rs 83 billion for the tribal areas also went toPrime Minister ImranKhan and assured the completion of multiple development schemes includingwater supply and road infrastructure.
Moreover, the locals would be preferred in the non-technical jobs to becreated during theconstruction of Mohmand Dam.
He also announced the construction of mega sports complex for Mohmand atcost of Rs 750million and a grant of Rs 2 million for Mohmand Press Club.
Dr Sania Nishtar said the Kafalat Cards scheme would be launched in allfour districts ofMohmand and to whole of province later on.
She said registration centers had been set up for inclusion of moredeserving people inEhsaas program.
She said the Ehsaas Amdan program for transfer of assets to the poor peoplewould beintroduced in different KP districts including in South and NorthWaziristan.
