Party elected from interior-Sindh did nothing for Karachi: PM Imran

PM expressed hope that trade will lead to development in the tribal areas.

MOHMAND (Dunya News) - Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday said that the party elected from interior Sindh has not done anything for Karachi and in Punjab, past rulers only focused on one city and ignored rest of the province.

Addressing a gathering of notables in Mohmand, PM Imran Khan said that every government has an ideology and PTI’s ideology is the state of Madinah, the world’s first welfare state. It is the responsibility of the state to uplift the weaker segments of society, elderly, widows and the poor, he added.

Criticizing opposition parties, the prime minister said that the stronghold of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was Central Punjab so they ignored other parts of Punjab. He also expressed resolve to spend more on underdeveloped and tribal areas. The provinces had promised to give 3% of NFC award to the tribal area but now they are reluctant, he added.

He further said that due to coronavirus pandemic revenue collection took a hit but efforts are being made to provide funds to Balochistan and tribal areas. He added that since inception of Pakistan, tribal areas have not witnessed prosperity and have highest level of poverty; however, PM expressed hope that trade will lead to development in the area.

The Prime Minister also said that intra-Afghan peace talks have started but still there are some countries which are against peace in Afghanistan.

PM said that Pak-Afghan border has been fenced to curb smuggling and announced that border markets will soon be operational. Imran Khan also warned that enemy does not want the integration of the tribal areas and it is trying to put obstacles in the process.