Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reached out to the leaders of different political parties and assured them of the cooperation and support of the federal government and its institutions to handle the situation caused by the heavy monsoon rains and consequent floods.
The PM telephoned Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and expressed grief over the loss of lives caused by the torrential rains and urban flooding in southern Sindh, particularly Karachi.
He offered full support from the federal government to assist the Sindh government in addressing the emergency situation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz directed the National Disaster Management Authority Chairman to stay in close coordination with the Sindh government, provide all possible assistance to the Provincial Disaster Management Aauthority, and ensure the early warnings to the people about potential risks.
The prime minister also spoke with Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman and Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.
Discussing with Jamaat-e-Islami chief the damages caused by recent rains in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and ongoing relief activities, Prime Minister Shehbaz appreciated Al-Khidmat Foundation's proactive role in rescue and relief operations.
Business facilitation center
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated the first-ever Business Facilitation Center (BFC) with a vision to promote ease of doing business and attract investment in Pakistan by providing a one-stop solution to investors and entrepreneurs.
Established by the Board of Investment, the BFC will facilitate the business community by providing a wide range of services, including guidance on regulatory requirements and facilitating business registration, licensing, and permits.
It will serve as a one-stop service, reducing hurdles and facilitating efficient interaction between businesses and government entities.
The prime minister, who was briefed on the center's functioning, including the investors' guidance, application for special economic zones, licensing and payments procedures with drastically reduced timelines, also unveiled the plaque of the project, vowing to replicate it across the country if it fulfills the desired objectives.
Prime Minister Shehbaz called for making the facilitation center attractive and popular in other countries and establishing it as a model, paving the way for its replication in other parts of the country.
Jhal Magsi Gas project
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met with Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Nawabzada Khalid Hussain Magsi, at the Prime Minister's House, where he was briefed on the progress and significance of the Jhal Magsi Gas Field Project.
During the meeting, the Federal Minister informed the Prime Minister that the inclusion of gas from the Jhal Magsi field into the national distribution network is expected to significantly reduce Pakistan's dependence on imported gas. According to the minister, this shift could result in annual savings of approximately $298 million in foreign exchange, a Prime Minister's Office news release said.
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