Pindi uplift projects to boost economy: PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the government’s entire focus is on providing better business opportunities to small and medium enterprises.

He added that there were immense opportunities in the Gujranwala division in this regard. The premier said the Nullah Leh Expressway and the Rawalpindi Urban Regeneration projects would help solve the city's problems and boost economic activity. Prime Minister Imran Khan said this as he chaired a meeting on Gujranwala Development Plan, Rawalpindi Urban Regeneration, and Nullah Leh Expressway project under regional economic development strategy in Punjab province on Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Bazdar, Advisor to the Chief Minister Dr Salman Shah, Punjab Chief Secretary Punjab, and senior officials of the province via video link. Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed was also present. Dr Salman Shah briefed the prime minister on the strategy for the development of various divisions of the province. In the briefing regarding Gujranwala Development Plan, the prime minister was informed that the Gujranwala division was currently contributing 13 per cent to the country's gross domestic product (GDP), 20 per cent to exports, and about 40 per cent to remittances from abroad. Under the new plan, special attention will be given to the agriculture, manufacturing, and services sector in the division to utilise its full potential.

A detailed briefing was given on the proposed strategy to be adopted for the promotion of sectors. The prime minister said the Gujranwala division had immense potential. Highlighting the potential in the small and medium industry, he added that the government’s entire focus was on providing better business opportunities to SMEs so that they could put their share in the national economy. PM Khan said the federal government was committed to providing all possible assistance for the implementation of regional economic development strategy.

He directed the officials to ensure continuous monitoring of the Gujranwala Development Plan and setting targets-based timelines. Under the regional economic development strategy, the focus was on the development of regions to enable them to contribute to national production by taking advantage of the opportunities available in various sectors. Ten sectors, including knowledge and technology transfer, specialised value chain infrastructure, manpower development, cluster support system, affordable energy, communication, urban management, better connectivity of rural-urban markets, rural development and management, environment, have been identified as potential game-changers, the PM was told.

Later, the Prime Minister received a briefing on the Nullah Leh Expressway project, the best utilisation of the land around it and economic benefits, and other aspects of the project. The premier was briefed on the progress of Nullah Leh. Talking about the Rawalpindi Urban Regeneration and Nullah Leh projects, the prime minister said both projects would play a key role in the transformation of Rawalpindi, resolved their long-standing problems and generate economic activities. He directed the officials to keep a special focus on the implementation of timelines set for the project so that it could be completed on time.