PM assures fast track social sector development of Fata

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday said the government was prioritizing legal reforms along with the constructive change in affairs of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in consultation with all stakeholders to bring the area at par with other federating units.

Talking to a delegation of senators from FATA in Islamabad, the prime minister said change in Fata is must to end the status quo.

He said equal treatment of Fata residents in all social sectors shall be ensured. Additional resources shall be allocated to Fata for improving health, education, infrastructure and social sectors.

Separately, chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad, the PM has vowed that the government was committed to polio eradication from the country.

He directed to immediately call a meeting of the National Task Force on polio eradication and stated that he will personally monitor the progress.

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Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said polio eradication required a concerted effort from the provincial governments, law enforcing agencies, district administration, civil society and international donors.

He expressed satisfaction over the progress made by the Ministry of National Health Services and the National Polio Eradication Program in significantly restricting the polio virus.

Minister for National Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar and Chairperson, National Polio Eradication Program Ayesha Raza Farooq briefed the prime minister on progress regarding polio eradication.

Talking to Chairman Parliamentary Committee on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed in Islamabad, the premier has said the CPEC was a game-changer not only for Pakistan but the entire region.

He said CPEC projects were testament to the ever strengthening Pakistan-China relations and would go a long way in securing a bright future for Pakistan.

He said the CPEC projects were the government’s highest priority and he was himself supervising the progress of those projects.

The PM appreciated the role of Parliamentary Committee on CPEC in building a national consensus over CPEC projects.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed presented report of the Parliamentary Committee on CPEC to the prime minister.

Minister for Kashmir Affairs Muhammad Barjees Tahir called on Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. He briefed the prime minister on matters pertaining to the ministry and provided an overview of the development outlay for Azad Kashmir.

Members National Assembly Muhammad Tufail and Ghulam Muhammad Lali also called on Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi separately in Islamabad.

Matters pertaining to development projects in their respective constituencies were discussed during meetings.

Advisor to Prime Minister and President Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Amir Muqam called on Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

Matters pertaining to development projects in KPK and party affairs came under discussion during the meeting. The premier appreciated his role for the party and the government.