Imran says will continue to be voice of Kashmiris

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday congratulated all successful candidates of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and thanked people of AJK for reposing trust in PTI through their votes, resulting in its electoral victory.

“I want to congratulate all our successful candidates. As ambassador for Kashmir, I will continue to raise my voice on all international forums including the UN to ensure the international community fulfills its commitment of self-determination to the Kashmiri people through a UN-sponsored plebiscite,” he said in tweets.

Premier Imran also said, “I want to thank the people of AJK for placing their trust in PTI through their votes which resulted in PTI’s electoral victory. We will focus on bringing the people out of poverty through Ehsaas and Kamyab Pakistan programmes and establish accountability and transparency in government”.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan launched the countrywide monsoon plantation drive. Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister asked the people to fully participate in the tree plantation campaign to enhance the country's forest cover.

He said it is unfortunate that our forest cover is very less when compared with other regional countries as this matter was neglected in the past. He said, “We have to turn Pakistan green to fight global warming and offset the impact of pollution.” The premier said it will bring a big revolution if each person plants at least one sapling during the next three weeks.

The PM said he had also directed the commissioners and deputy commissioners to ensure plantation at empty spaces in cities. He said, “Our aim is to leave behind a better Pakistan for future generations.”

He emphasized the government's ten billion tree Tsunami project as well as plantation of one billion trees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is widely acknowledged across the world. He said Pakistan is now recognised as a leading country which is taking steps to reverse carbon emissions.

Earlier, the premier planted a tree at Fatima Jinnah Park in Sector F-9 of Islamabad to encourage the people to take full part in the tree planting drive. In the next few weeks, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) will plant 500,000 trees in Islamabad.

The green graph is slowly going up after Prime Minister Imran Khan's government launched a large-scale tree planting campaign under the Clean and Green Pakistan Initiative.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday welcomed the strengthening of trade relations with the Central Asian states and stressed that Pakistan has the potential to provide sea access to the entire region, including these states.

“In the near future, Pakistan's ports will form the basis of important trade routes through CPEC,” Premier Imran said this during a meeting with Adviser on Trade and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood, who called on him here.

The prime minister appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Commerce and Investment Board for the first time in its history to prioritise enhancing trade relations with Central Asian states. He was informed that Pakistan is working to take full advantage of the trade potential of Central Asian countries and further strengthen trade relations.

The Adviser on Trade and Investment, during the meeting, briefed the prime minister on the progress of bilateral cooperation and trade agreements after his visit to Uzbekistan and the prospects for positive results from investors. He also briefed the prime minister on the strategy for the forthcoming visit to the rest of the Central Asian states, particularly Tajikistan, and the implications for investment and trade. He gave a briefing on the Board of Investment meeting this week and the expected meeting of various chambers of commerce this month and its strategy.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan visited the Citizens Club at F-9 Park. He was accompanied by Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari, Special Assistant for Health Dr Faisal Sultan, Senator Faisal Javed and CDA chairman.

The construction of the Citizens Club building began in 2008 but was delayed. The current government completed the construction of the Citizen Club building in 2018. The matter was put on hold due to legal issues related to the use of the building.

The cabinet recently considered using the building for public purposes. Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit is a link in this chain. On the direction of the prime minister, a committee comprising renowned architect Nayyar Ali Dada and CDA chairman was set up.

The committee will soon submit its recommendations to the prime minister regarding the use of the Citizens Club building for public purposes.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday directed that the tehsil and district administration and the Competition Commission should ensure fair prices of food items as well as ensure full action against profiteers and mafia and provide facilities to the people.

The prime minister directed the chief secretaries to ensure action against the negligent officers regarding prices. He also stressed the need to make the existing cell more active in monitoring prices on a regular basis and ensuring reasonable prices.

In this connection, Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a review meeting of commodity prices. The meeting was attended by Minister for Planning Asad Umar, Minister for Industries and Production Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib, Special Assistant for Political Communications Dr Shahbaz Gill and concerned senior officials.

Finance Minister Shaukat Tareen, Chief Secretary Punjab and Balochistan attended the meeting through video link. In the meeting, the prime minister stressed that the provision of essential commodities to the people at reasonable prices is the top priority of the government.

“Pakistan has the most resources in the region in terms of tourism and the present government will ensure full utilisation of them,” he said while chairing a review meeting on the progress made so far on the steps taken for the promotion of tourism.

Special Assistant Shahbaz Gill, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mehmood Khan, Asif Mehmood Khan Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab for Tourism, chief secretaries of the four provinces and concerned officers participated through video link.

A detailed briefing on the progress made so far on various points of the roadmap for the promotion of tourism. The meeting was informed that the work of geo-mapping tourist destinations in all the provinces has been almost completed. The move will help in development works and investment in tourist destinations. In addition, a calendar of cultural festivals is being prepared.

All details will soon be uploaded on tourist websites and tourism e-portals. Regarding the promotion of tourist destinations in accordance with international standards, it was informed that feasibility of various projects has been prepared in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Azad Kashmir.

The meeting was also apprised of the commencement and progress of development work in Nandana Fort. Also a detailed briefing was given on the steps taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote tourism in the country. The meeting was informed that due to the efforts of Pakistani embassies, over a dozen countries have made positive changes in their travel advisory regarding Pakistan while 24 embassies should ensure the provision of promotional materials by PTDC to promote tourism in Pakistan.

It was further informed that special desks have been set up in 27 embassies for the promotion of tourism and assistance has been provided to about 133 foreign tourism companies for the promotion of tourism in Pakistan.

In addition, the issuance of e-visa has been reduced to 7-10 days only to facilitate foreign tourists. More than 71,000 foreign tourists have so far availed the e-visa facility. The meeting also apprised of the steps taken for the promotion of coastal tourism in Balochistan.

The meeting was informed that approval has been given to build a resort at Kund Malir and Marine Drive Gwadar. Also part of the project is the construction of fish landing sites, floating jetties, small fishing boats, rest areas on coastal highways and coastal parks.

The meeting was informed that special desks have been set up at airports in Chitral, Saidu Sharif, Islamabad and Skardu for the convenience of tourists. PIA's air safari is also active and a large number of tourists are taking advantage of it.

Stressing on the importance of tourism, the prime minister directed that the calendar of cultural festivals should be prepared keeping in view the importance of festivals so that tourists could participate in important festivals without any hassle.

Instructing to identify the areas for tourism in Balochistan and present a plan for their development soon, the prime minister said that the coastline of Balochistan is very beautiful and full of natural beauty. There are countless investment opportunities that will be exploited.

Referring to government rest houses, the prime minister said that not only public access to these public-funded buildings should be ensured but also plans for their better utilisation to facilitate tourists should be implemented soon.

The prime minister further said that steps should be taken within the stipulated time to make Pakistan a tourist destination in the region which would bring investment and foreign exchange to Pakistan.