LAHORE: Prime Minister Imran Khan said that a “full battle” is underway in Paksitan to hold the forces of the mafia accountable and bring the country closer to the vision of a welfare state like the State of Medina through the Naya Pakistan scheme
The prime minister said that the State of Medina was based on two golden principles of rule of law and humanity while breaking ground for construction of affordable apartments under his Naya Pakistan Housing Programme to provide shelter to low-income groups.
The Naya Pakistan Apartments would be built in the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) City, a PM Office (PMO) press release said earlier. In a tweet, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said that the prime minister would lay the foundation for 35,000 affordable apartments.
PM Imran, during his address, said that the Scandinavian welfare states and others in the West were also pursuing very noble principles.
“Today, a full battle is going on Pakistan to make big mafias accountable before the law. There are big political mafias too which are resisting the rule of law. This a defining moment for Pakistan. As we establish the writ of law, the society will be liberated,” he said.
He underscored that the State of Medina had taken full responsibility for its poor people despite resource constraint.
The PM said that the incumbent government was also trying to follow the same principles by extending universal health coverage, building Panagahs and introducing mobile kitchens for the poor.
He said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government had extended Sehat Insaf Card to the entire population while Punjab would also achieve the same by this year’s end to make the beneficiaries avail the free medical treatment of up to Rs1 million.
He added that even certain developed countries did not have such universal health coverage.
Quoting a recently published United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report, the prime minister said, as per the UN data, the poverty ratio had declined in KP province during the last seven years while the human development index (HDI) had shown a positive trend.
Moreover, he said that the government would collect data of its entire population by June which would help the government pay a direct subsidy to deserving people.
“God willing, Pakistan is going to become a welfare state,” he hoped.
The prime minister appreciated the Punjab chief minister, cabinet members and particularly LDA Vice Chairman Imran Munir for putting in all efforts to pave the way for the mega-project to uplift the poor.
He said that the project’s launch was impossible without the passage of foreclosure law for mortgage finance and thanked the judiciary for resolving the issue that had been pending for years.
PM Imran said, in Pakistan, mortgage finance stood at around 0.2 per cent against western countries, where it was above 80 per cent.
He added that the passage of the foreclosure law enabled the people without cash to buy or construct their own house. The people would be able to avail themselves the housing finance by paying the instalments from the money they use for house rent.
The prime minister stated he had seen the deteriorating system in the country and it required a vision and commitment to change the corrupt system.
“But it is doable as we know many countries which have transformed themselves. We will have to change ourselves if Pakistan has to meet the 21st-century challenges,” he remarked.
He again appreciated LDA VCMunir for bringing in automation to facilitate the construction sector which was booming in the country evidenced by the record cement sale during the last month.
He also appreciated Naya Pakistan Housing Authority for holding sessions with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and commercial banks to bring maximum ease for the construction sector as well as remove hassles from the housing loan process.
PM Imran told the gathering that the construction industry supported another 30 allied industries, thus becoming a major sole source to boost the economy.
The prime minister also spoke high of Punjab Bank President Zafar Masood for supporting the wealth creation, like any “outstanding” banker and contrary to some typical banks which banked upon government’s deposits.
Moreover, PM Imran on Sunday would launch an initiative of mobile kitchens to serve free of charge food to the poor people in their respective areas, it emerged.
Addressing the gathering, Punjab Chief Minister Buzdar said that the apartment’s scheme would be no less than any modern society and would be equipped with all amenities, including a huge park, underground electricity lines and a cricket stadium.
He added that even after the project’s completion, the LDA would be responsible for maintaining the infrastructure.
The chief minister said that the government was on its course towards fulfilment of its commitments with the people.
During his one-day visit to Lahore, the prime minister would also chair a meeting to review the measures taken by the Punjab government to control the prices of essential commodities.
