PM all praise for Khattak days after party meeting ‘quarrel’

Prime Minister Imran Khan has appreciated Defence Minister Pervez Khattak for launching several public welfare initiatives during his tenure as Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) chief minister in 2013-18, days after the latter reportedly exchanged heated words with the premier at the ruling PTI’s parliamentary meeting.

PM Imran praised the defence minister while addressing the inaugural ceremony of establishing special technology zone in K-P’s Haripur on Monday.

“When Pervez Khattak was chief minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkwa he did a lot of good things like [launching] health card scheme,” the premier remarked.

Despite lack of resources, PM Imran said K-P under Khattak’s rule was the only province in the country that launched projects to combat climate change.

He also praised the former K-P CM for empowering the province’s local body system and also credited him for taking measures to boost tourism.

Last week, PM Imran and Defence Minister Khattak reportedly exchanged bitter words during a parliamentary party meeting of the PTI and its allied parties.

According to sources, Khattak lashed out at the premier, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin and Energy Minister Hammad Azhar.

“The gas and electricity producing province [K-P] has been deprived of new gas connections,” he complained.

He told the premier that unelected people were sitting in the cabinet. He added that the people of K-P had elected him the prime minister, but still they were the ones losing the most.

The minister claimed that there was a ban on new gas connections in K-P. “If this goes on, we will not be able to vote for the mini-budget.”

The prime minister retorted that he would not be blackmailed. “If you don’t want to vote, then don’t. If you are not satisfied with me, I will give the government to someone else.”

Tech zones to boost IT exports

Prime Minister Imran said his government is focused on promoting education and developing health sector for the overall national development.

He said with increase in revenue collection, these two key sectors will also be further strengthened.

The prime minister said qualified youth provide leadership besides contributing to overall progress of a country. He emphasised on imparting education to the youth in accordance to the market requirement.

PM Imran said the three-tier education system had been creating three classes in the society, which would have negative impacts. He said the single national curriculum introduced by the incumbent government would lead to national cohesion.

The premier said the special technology zones would create employment opportunities for the youth.

He said facilities being provided to the business community are leading to increasing exports, adding that a 75 per cent increase in IT exports is expected this year.

(With input from Radio)