LAHORE: Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government during its previous tenure launched significant uplift projects, eliminated terrorism, overcome power outage, revived economy and achieved other milestones for progress and prosperity of  country.

Addressing inaugural ceremony of newly constructed building of Department of Energy and Environment Engineering, University of Punjab, he said that it was pleasing to see completion of Energy and Environment Department’s project which was approved during PML-N’s previous tenure.

Ahsan Iqbal said that for action against terrorism and extremism, security forces and law enforcement agencies were provided all resources and support to eliminate terrorism and ensure peace in country. Due to China Pakistan Economic Corridor number of foreign companies had shown interest in making investment in CPEC projects, while foreign investors declared Pakistan safe haven for foreign investment, he asserted.

He said that today is era of digital media and information technology, but it was needed to evaluate material, narrative or propaganda being promoted on social media against country and institutions, so that it could not manipulate or control our behaviours.

Organised efforts were being made to polarise and confuse society through social media delusion and hate for achieving particular agendas, he added. Previous PTI government had shrunk development budget to Rs 550 billion from Rs 1,000 billion, however PML-N after coming into power once again increased development budget to Rs 1,100 billion. Need for changing lifestyles as collective measure to revive country’s economy is vital, he added.

He highlighted that present government evolved framework of 5Es- Export led growth, E-Pakistan or digitalisation, Environment, Energy and Equity in empowerment to make country self-reliant after exploring new methods and resources for development.

He said that educational institutes should have to play their role in guiding towards proper and latest solutions of issues including energy being face by country on basis of research and experiment based knowledge. Digital media should be focused for exploring new opportunities including employment and entrepreneurship, he added.

Responding to questions, he said that economic revival was priority of government so all efforts were being made to achieve this target for providing maximum relief to people.

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 14 2023

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