Unprecedented development projects completed despite challenges: Gilani
ISLAMABAD, Jul 5 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said the government completed unprecedented development projects despite challenges of global recession, rise in international petroleum prices, electricity shortages, floods and war on terror.He was speaking on the occasion of inauguration of mega development projects of Zero Point Interchange, dualization of Lehtrar Road and ground-breaking of CDA’s Park Enclave Housing Scheme here at Pakistan Monument.Gilani said unprecedented development work was done in all parts of Pakistan from Karachi to Khyber and in remote areas of Balochistan.He said in the past there was lack of consistency in completion of development projects and every government, on its induction, shelved projects of the previous government.
“Our government decided to change all that and instructed the Planning Commission to complete all projects,” he said, “We inaugurated projects instead of laying down foundation stones.”
He said supply of provision of electricity to villages, raised demand so the government added 2000 megawatts to the national grid and 2000 megawatts more will be added in future.
He pledged to take everybody along in schemes of poverty alleviation and development programmes.Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), which is internationally acknowledged, is part of the government’s efforts to reduce poverty from all parts of the country through a transparent mechanism,he said and added BISP beneficiaries are getting financial assistance without discrimination and poverty survey has been done to end any political interference.
Under BISP, jobs will be created through Waseela Haq programme, people will get life and health insurance and those living below poverty line will get relaxation in bills of gas and electricity, he added.
The Prime Minister said role of the opposition is to criticize performance of the government, which has been tolerating the criticism.
He said the government has gained fruits of tolerating the criticism of opposition as it achieved political stability.
“There can be no economic stability and progress without political stability,” he added.
The Prime Minister said the government laid down the foundation of politics of reconciliation which created political maturity.
He said PPP continued to talk with all political parties, brought them in government and made coalition governments in all provinces.
He said PPP was founded on the slogan of protecting poor and the government will continue to work for welfare of vulnerable sections of society.
People living in the slum areas of Islamabad will be provided basic amenities of life, he added.He directed that poor and deserving people should be given plots in the housing schemes.
He said Islamabad should be made a city ranked among the most beautiful cities of the world as it is the face and symbol of Pakistan.
He appreciated that CDA is opening a new sector in Islamabad after a period of 22 years.
He informed that during the meeting of Council of Common Interests (CCI), he persuaded the chief ministers to supply water from their reserves to meet needs of Islamabad.
He instructed that trees should be grown and preserved along new roads in the capital and project of rapid transport system for twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad should be started within six months.
The Prime Minister said the projects of Education City and IT Parks will create jobs for skilled persons and provision of energy savers will protect the environment. He lauded CDA for recovering 17000 kanals of land from encroachers.
He assured that friendly and conducive political environment will be provided for development of the country.
The Prime Minister said those who want to derail the political system, will be disappointed. “We have support of the people with which we will face insincerity in politics.”
Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) Imtiaz Inayat Elahi said the government completed 10 big projects in the capital in the last two years and work is continuing on more projects for the welfare of citizens.
He gave details of future projects for protection of environment, provision of water and improved transport facility in Islamabad.
He said the Park Enclave Housing Project will be an environment-friendly gated community and will have open air restaurants, walking tracks, waterfalls, modern IT infrastructure and hi-tech security system.