Pakistan set to emerge as a developed country, says minister

Haideri says govt has taken several initiatives in this regard.

FAISALABAD: State Minister for Postal Services Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said on Tuesday that Pakistan would emerge as a developed country in the near future due to the initiatives of the incumbent government. 

He was speaking at a motorcycle distribution ceremony at the General Post Office. Haideri said the government had launched scores of development initiatives to transform Pakistan into a peaceful and prosperous country. The minister said the deals signed during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s recent visit to China were a boon for the national economy.



Haideri stressed the importance of effective channels of communication. He also highlighted the strategic importance of the Gwadar Port.

Haideri said the completion of the port would create lucrative opportunities for national progress.

The minister said the port could also become a regional shipping hub as it would facilitate the flow of trade from the Central Asian Republics.

Haideri said those who had conspired to hinder national progress had been exposed. He said the sit-ins at Islamabad’s D-Chowk had caused a Rs100 billion loss to the national economy. Haideri said Pakistan Post had an extensive national network.

He said it had over 48,000 employees. The minister urged the employees to effectively discharge their duties and strive to improve standards. He also praised those employees who had been killed by robbers while making cash deliveries.

Haideri said Pakistan Post had a crucial role in maintaining communication links across the nation.

He said the department was providing nearly 1.6 million people with their pensions monthly. Haideri said Pakistan Post was trying to harness the potential of information technology to improve service delivery. He said the department had started installing ATMs for the benefit of the people.

Haideri said a proposal regarding the acquisition of bullet-proof vehicles to transport valuables was being reviewed. He said a proposal regarding the provision of commission to those employees that collect utility bills was also being reviewed.

18 postmen were earlier presented with motorcycles in the ceremony. Deputy Postmaster General Ahsan Jawed Awan, Jamiat Ulema Islam ameer Maulana Zikriya and scores of officials were also present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2014.