ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Sunday constituted a high-powered committee to hold in-depth discussions and formulate a proposed structure of the new local government within a week.
The recommendations of the committee would then be scrutinized and presented before the assemblies of the respective provinces for their consideration.
The prime minister, who chaired a meeting of federal ministers, chief ministers of Punjab, Balochistan and KP, provincial ministers, federal and provincial secretaries of relevant departments and senior government officers on the local government system, ordered that the process of finalizing recommendations for initiating legislation process should be completed within one month.
Detailed presentations were made along with threadbare discussions during the meeting on the local government system introduced in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by the PTI government as well as its replication in other provinces.
The prime minister in his remarks said that the transfer of power at the grassroots level and empowering people in a real sense was the main plank of party’s reforms agenda. He said the past practice of centralization of power in few hands and at times into one individual had not only deprived the people of any meaningful say in the government affairs but also stripped the people of their right to have adequate resources for their development.
Separately, Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting on the issue of security and facilitation of the Zaireen.
The meeting was attended by Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan, MoS for Interior Shahryar Afridi, secretary to prime minister, secretary interior, secretary religious affairs, chief secretary Balochistan and senior government officers.
The prime minister observed that the security of the Zaireen visiting holy places abroad is the foremost priority and no effort should be spared in this regard. He directed that a comprehensive action plan should be chalked out in consultation with all stakeholders within 48 hours for the security of Zaireen visiting Iran, Iraq and other holy places during the coming month of Moharram. He directed that immigration counters at Pak-Iran border should be enhanced to facilitate Zaireen in immigration process.
The prime minister directed that a permanent mechanism should be evolved to streamline the entire operations of Zaireen for the future. In this context, the prime minister directed Shehryar Afridi to coordinate with Balochistan chief minister and other stakeholders including the security forces and ministry of religious affairs to streamline the process and ensure provision of maximum facilitation to the visiting Zaireen.
He directed that a comprehensive time-bound action plan with delineated responsibilities may be submitted for his approval to regulate the matter.
Prime Minister Imran Khan Sunday formally launched a tree plantation campaign by planting a sapling in Haripur district. The campaign titled ‘Plant for Pakistan’ has been launched across the country.
Speaking to media on the occasion, the prime minister said the drive is aimed at tacklingthe challenges posed by climate change as Pakistan will be largely affected by global warming if such steps were not taken. He said 10 billion saplings will be planted across the country in order to make Pakistan green and verdant over a period of five years.
In a social media post, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that he has made it clear to the bureaucracy and the Punjab cabinet in a recent meeting that the government’s primary target is to implement the 100-day plan.
He said the government will prioritise adequate spending, end to dishonesty and upholding of merit. He said the government is determined to induce change in the style of governance.
Imran said a meeting was also held with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa former IGP Nasir Durrani, who had brought reforms in the provincial police force. He said the reforms in Punjab police will be done under Nasir Durrani and the aim is to depoliticise the provincial police.
Published in Daily Times, September 3rd 2018.
