Govt ensuring timely distribution of funds under NFC Award: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday said the federal government was ensuring timey transfer of funds as per the NFC Award but fair distribution of provincial funds by Sindh government was also essential.

This he observed in a meeting with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MPs which was attended by Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar, Member National Assembly Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Senator Faisal Sabzwari. During the meeting, the prime minister was apprised of the progress on ongoing development projects in Karachi.

The prime minister termed early completion of ongoing development projects in Karachi and early launch of newly announced projects as one of the top priorities of the government and stressed that the present government should address the problems of the people of Karachi.

Members of National Assembly from South Punjab also met Imran Khan. The meeting was attended by Muhammad Amjad Farooq Khosa, Niaz Ahmad Jhakkar, Shabir Qureshi and Rana Qasim Noon.

Issues of relevant circles and progress on ongoing projects were discussed during the meeting. Participants paid tribute to the prime minister for providing health cards under the prime minister's vision of focusing on South Punjab, ongoing education, health and infrastructure projects in Layyah, establishment of South Punjab Secretariat and relief to the common man in the budget.

Special Assistant Jamshed Cheema also called on the PM who briefed him on the Agriculture Transformation Plan. He said in the briefing that for the first time in Pakistan, agricultural mapping of the whole of Pakistan has been done under which barren lands will be brought under cultivation and use of water resources will be further improved.

Separately, a delegation of Overseas Pakistanis Forum led by Shahid Raza Ranjha called on Imran Khan. Special Assistant Dr Shahbaz Gill was also present in the meeting.

The delegation thanked the prime minister for his special efforts in giving the right to vote to overseas Pakistanis and for legislation in this regard, and noted that the prime minister has always been a voice for Pakistanis abroad.

Chairman Kashmir Committee Sheharyar Afridi and Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi also called on Prime Minister Imran Khan.

During the meeting, Sheharyar Afridi briefed the prime minister on the performance of the Kashmir Committee.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan spoke with Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), and exchanged views on the ongoing polio eradication campaign in the country as well as on Pakistan’s response to the public health challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The prime minister appreciated the work of BMGF for the socio-economic uplift of the most disadvantaged people around the globe, especially for promoting universal access to health services and combating of infectious diseases. He expressed gratitude, in particular, for BMGF’s partnership with Pakistan to rid the country of polio.

The prime minister reaffirmed that polio eradication remained a key national priority for the government and earnest efforts were continuing to further intensify the anti-polio campaign across the country despite challenges imposed by the COVID-19 crisis, in order to achieve a polio-free Pakistan.

Recalling that a special polio eradication campaign was launched in the country earlier this month (7-11 June 2021), during which vaccine drops were administered to over 33 million children under five years of age, the prime minister expressed satisfaction over the substantive progress in cutting the transmission of the poliovirus in the country. He hoped that polio will be eradicated soon with the support of all partners.

Bill Gates expressed his appreciation for the prime minister’s leadership for this national cause. He said that while progress is encouraging, keeping up pressure will be the key to ending transmission for good. The prime minister also highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to overcome the third wave of coronavirus in the country.

While alluding to Pakistan’s potential in the Information Technology (IT) sector and government’s business friendly IT policy, the prime minister encouraged Microsoft to further expand its footprint in Pakistan.

Imran Khan also said in a tweet, “Spoke with Bill Gates last night & thanked him for the help his foundation provided for polio eradication in Pakistan. This time last year we had 56 reported cases - this year so far only 1 case. InshaAllah we will eradicate polio completely in coming year. Also asked Bill if he could set up a Microsoft incubation lab in Pakistan.”

Imran Khan also tweeted, “Saddened by the death of one of my oldest friends Talat Mahmood - "Tommo" to his friends. He will be missed by all his friends. My condolences and prayers go to his family.”