PTI Chairperson Imran Khan cuts a cake at the Centenary Youth Festival at Islamia College University. PHOTO: INP
PESHAWAR/ SHANGLA:
For the sake of development in its truest sense, it is important the routes of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor pass through the southern districts of K-P, from Balochistan and parts of Punjab like Attock and Bhakkar. This was said by PTI Chairperson Imran Khan, who during a live talk show ‘Talk to Imran Khan’ aired on the radio and government web-channel Badloon Tv on Sunday.
“The route has been set by the federal government to back their own business interests,” he said. Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and K-P Government Spokesperson Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani were also present on the occasion. “We were not taken into confidence about the routes of the corridor.”
He added the focus of the corridor should be on alleviating poverty, like China did. “They helped many people out of poverty [through development] which in turn led to the country’s development.”
Water and health
About water supply for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Imran said if the Chashma Right Bank Canal was made functional, all barren areas in the province will get water for irrigation. He added even those areas where people have to drink contaminated water will get potable water.
“The cost for the canal will be as much the metro bus,” he said. “We will collect money for the project as it is important, especially for the southern districts.”
Imran also spoke about work in the area of health, saying they will experiment with telemedicine. “We will connect the doctor and patient via television for consultation,” he said. “This will be done as we do not have as many doctors; we are also working on improving district headquarters hospitals.”
Hospitality for refugees
When asked about Afghan refugees, the PTI chief said, “They are our guests.” He said it is understandable that people of the province have had to go through difficult times due to the arrival of refugees from Afghanistan but no one becomes a refugee by choice. “We should be patient and wait for situation in Afghanistan to be stable so they can go back to their homeland.”
Discussing the Billion Tree Tsunami, Imran, “Over 200 billion trees were felled in the last 10 years in the province.” They have and will plant more trees as part of the project. “But the prime minister did not mention the project in the climate change conference that was held in Paris.”
He also spoke about the Army Public School carnage, saying it shook the entire nation.
The PTI chief will visit Puran in Shangla on Monday (today) to attend a ceremony where an influential politician will join the party. This was said by special assistant to chief minister, Abdul Munim. “Preparations have completed for the event,” said Munim.
Islamia celebrations
Imran took to the podium during the Centenary Youth Festival at Islamia College University on Sunday and announced he would not discuss political matters. Instead, he spoke to students about the importance of serving humanity and working towards the development in the country.
He also shared Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital Peshawar will inaugurated on December 29.
According to the PTI chief, there are a number of wealthy people in the world who seldom spend their money on humanitarian causes. However, “Those who have work for social welfare are known throughout the world,” he said. “For instance, business tycoon Bill Gates has spent a sizeable portion of his money on humanitarian causes and earned a name.”
Imran also directed Khattak and ICU VC Ajmal Khan to constitute a committee to allocate endowment funds in an effective manner.
Speaking on the occasion, Khattak announced the government will establish at least one university campus in every district of the province. He also announced a month’s salary bonus for the faculty and staff of Islamia college.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 14th, 2015.
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