Independence of institutions vital for progress: PM Imran

Imran says early completion of development projects in merged areas top priority of govt

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has stressed the need to continue with institutional reforms, saying independence of institutions is vital for the country’s progress.

Last year, the government had disclosed that only eight government departments would be wound up as part of the reorganisation plan already approved by the cabinet. The number of these entities would be reduced from 441 to 342 as some would be merged with others and some would go to the provinces, it added.

In a meeting with former law minister Babar Awan on Monday, the prime minister said, “There is no transparency in governance without accountability.”

PM Imran and Awan exchanged views on the current situation of the country. The PM was briefed on different laws and constitutional matters.

According to a statement issued by the former minister, “The prime minister has said that the country has earned respect at the international level through the government’s effective policies.”
During the meeting, Awan praised the government’s measures in providing relief to the masses saying: “Ehsaas programme, shelter homes and kitchens are an important step towards an established state.”

The fast-improving economic situation of the country and increase in remittances portray a promising future as well as confidence in the prime minister, he added.



“People will receive the benefits of the government’s economic policies in 2020,” Awan quoted the prime minister as saying.
Separately, the prime minister chaired a meeting to review progress on energy, higher education, health and development projects in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa -K-P), especially the merged areas of erstwhile Fata.

PM Imran urged the people of the newly merged areas to pay no heed to the naysayers, saying construction of development projects in their areas was the top priority of the government.

Minister for Energy Omar Ayub, K-P Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, Special Assistant Nadeem Babar, K-P finance minister Timor Saleem Khan, federal finance secretary, planning secretary, K-P chief Secretary, Higher Education Commission Chairman Tariq Banori and other senior officers were in attendance.

“We have to work with the people to thwart conspiracies of external elements,” said the PM. “It is essential that the people of the merged areas be taken on board regarding development projects and efforts being made to solve their problems.”

The meeting reviewed the development plans and the progress made so far on them in the merged areas.

According to a statement issued by the PM Office, PM Imran was informed in the meeting that the Ministry of Finance would provide the required funds for the timely completion of development projects in the merged areas.

Imran was also apprised that the Ministry of Energy was working to strengthen the weak power transmission infrastructure in those areas.
Imran directed the power ministry to resolve the issues of payment of dues of Malakand-III hydropower project and Pehur hydropower project.

The directives also include resolving the issue of income tax concession for Machai hydropower project and Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation projects.

HEC Chairman Binori briefed the PM on the financial issues and needs of the K-P universities as well as the strategies adopted by the commission in resolving and meeting them.

It was decided that a detailed meeting would be held within the next few days to finalise the strategy adopted by the HEC.

The PM directed the planning secretary to fulfil the requirements for uninterrupted delivery of quality health facilities at major hospitals of the province.

On the provincial government's suggestion, the PM directed the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Planning to complete 16 most-important projects under the PSDP on a priority basis.