–PM says no need to carve another province out of Sindh after introduction of PTI’s local govt system
–Says can’t spare ‘thieves’, urges businessmen to benefit from govt’s asset declaration amnesty scheme
KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is against the formation of another province in Sindh.
The prime minister said this during a meeting with members of the coalition parties at Governor House, Karachi.
The participants of the meeting included Grand Democratic Alliance’s Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Nand Kumar, Nusrat Sehr Abbasi and Sadruddin Shah Rashidi. Opposition Leader in Sindh Assembly Firdous Shamim Naqvi, Khurram Sher Zaman, Haleem Adil Sheikh and Faisal Vawda were also present at the meeting.
The meeting reviewed political situation of Sindh, ongoing projects of the federal government and coalition affairs.
Maintaining that the PTI is against another province in Sindh, Imran said there would be no need for division of the province after a new local body system is introduced here by the ruling PTI.
Prior to this, a delegation of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and trade representatives called on the premier at Governor House.
Khan said he wants his government to known as the most investor- and trader-friendly government.
“My mission is eliminate poverty from Pakistan,” he said, urging the trade fraternity to back him in this mission.
The prime minister said that past governments devastated economy through corruption and his party inherited an already dwindling economy.
“I cannot spare thieves. Right now the government is focused on economic stability,” he said, noting that experts have been appointed in Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and State Bank.
Khan further urged traders to benefit from the recent amnesty scheme, adding that the government wants the private sector to play its role in stabilising the economy.
He assured the delegates that his government would cooperate in promotion of investment and trade activities.
The prime minister said ease of doing business, FBR reforms and conducive atmosphere for trade are priorities of his government.
On the occasion, trade representatives expressed their confidence in the government’s economic policies, besides presenting suggestions for economic stability and achievement of goals.
The prime minister arrived in Karachi Friday afternoon on a daylong visit to the commercial hub of the country.
He was accompanied by Federal Minister for Shipping and Marine Affairs Syed Ali Zaidi, PM’s Advisor for Trade Abdul Razzaq Dawood, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Naeem ul Haque.
The prime minister is scheduled to chair a meeting on the Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme in Sindh during his visit.
He is also expected to attend as guest of honor a fundraising Iftar-dinner organised by the local chapter of the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital.