PM directs completing legal work on EVMs

Imran chairs meeting on reforms for expats’ inclusion in elections


APP June 18, 2021
Photo: EXPRESS

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ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday directed the authorities concerned to complete the process of electoral reforms and electronic voting system for overseas Pakistanis at the earliest.

Chairing a meeting on the use of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the prime minister said overseas Pakistanis were an asset of the country and must be involved in the election process.

The prime minister reiterated his commitment to ensuring transparency in the use of electronic voting machines in the electoral process after meeting all constitutional requirements.

The prime minister said the only option to ensure transparency in the election process was through the use of EVMs.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz, Leader of the House in the Senate Senator Dr Shehzad Wasim, Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib and Adviser to the Prime Minister Babar Awan.

The prime minister was given a detailed briefing on the progress made so far in the use of the electronic voting machine and the legislation needed to implement the electoral reforms.

The prime minister reiterated his commitment to ensure transparency in the use of electronic voting machines in the electoral process after meeting all constitutional requirements.

He said the government was committed to ensuring transparency in the electoral process of the country.

Separately, chairing a meeting on the progress on Ravi Urban City and Central Business District projects the prime minister directed the authorities concerned to devise a comprehensive strategy on wastewater treatment to ensure supply of clean water to urban population and for agricultural purposes.

The prime minister stressed the need for installation of wastewater treatment plants especially in major cities.

The prime minister said in cities like Lahore, the use of modern technology was important to meet the shortage of water for a growing population.

The prime minister was informed that the development work at Sapphire Bay would be initiated soon after the finalization of the contract next week.

The process regarding approval of industrial zone will be completed by June to be followed by construction of the infrastructure.

The educational institutions including Iqra University, University of Management and Technology and ISC will set up their campuses in Ravi City. Also, Iqra University has shown interest in building a hospital besides its campus.

The meeting was also briefed on the transfer of three water plants by Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA) plants to Ravi City and the use of modern technology for wastewater treatment.

The participants were also updated on the directions issued by Environmental Protection Agency by Judicial Water Commission to expedite the approval process of Ravi Urban City project.

It was highlighted that a quota for local populace had been reserved for jobs under the Ravi City project and around 100,000 households would benefit from the opportunity. Also, the locals will get medical treatment on fifty per cent concession.

On Central Business District project, it was informed that the auction process would start in the first week of July 2021.

A board has already been established for the Central Business District project which was in consultation with Nespak and Frontier Works Organization (FWO) to finalise a design, with the development work set to begin next week.

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