ISLAMABAD: On Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif requested the support of the business community in order to make the National Energy Conservation Plan (NECP) a success and sought the cooperation of provinces in the fight against terrorism that has reemerged in the country.
The Prime Minister, who was in charge of a meeting about security, emphasized the need to improve coordination between federal and provincial institutions in order to eliminate terrorism from the country.
“The nation’s resolve will never be shaken by terrorists or militants.” He insisted that “no sacrifice will be avoided for the security of the homeland” and ordered the interior minister, interior secretary, and national coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) to consult with the provinces and submit a report.
Key Points:
• Directs interior minister, secretary, Nacta national coordinator to consult provinces, submit a report
• Claims IMF team to visit Pakistan in 2-3 days to review programme
• Calls on business community to support energy conservation plan
Also, PM Shehbaz told the provincial apex committees to meet more often and work more closely with other provinces.
The meeting was briefed on the security situation by the interior minister and secretary, and the four chief secretaries and inspectors general of police discussed the situation in their respective territories and the measures being taken to reduce the threat.
The prime minister instructed the NACTA national coordinator to improve cooperation with provincial law enforcement agencies and Counter-Terrorism Departments.
The meeting was attended by the heads of law enforcement agencies, provincial chief secretaries, and police chiefs, as well as Adviser Ahad Cheema and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah.
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IMF programme
PM Shehbaz assured the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday that his government was committed to successfully completing the agreement, but that it could not further burden the already-inflation- and flood-hit nation with additional taxes, despite the opposition’s claims that the IMF would not continue its ongoing program in Pakistan.
The PM stated: “During a telephone conversation with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.” Pakistan is committed to successfully completing the ongoing program of the Fund,” she continued, adding that the government had already taxed the wealthy but could not tax the poor more.
The PM made the head of the IMF aware of the country’s economic situation, which was harmed by last year’s worst floods.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said later, while addressing a ceremony for the establishment of the Hazara Electric Company, that the IMF chief assured the PM that her team would visit Pakistan for a review within two to three days.
In addition, he reassured the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that, in contrast to the previous Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) administration, the current rulers would honor their commitments to the Fund without increasing the burden on the populace.
The Prime Minister’s Office claims that Ms. Georgieva reiterated her commitment to assist Pakistan during this difficult time and expressed sympathy and concern for the human and material losses caused by the floods of last year.
The official was invited by the prime minister to attend the Geneva International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan. Ms. Georgieva thanked the premier and stated that the IMF Board meetings on January 9 and 10 would allow her to virtually attend the conference.
Support for energy conservation
In addition, PM Sharif urged the business community to support the government’s recently announced energy conservation plan, which calls for the early closure of markets and restaurants in order to reduce import costs and make better use of the nation’s resources.
At the ceremony to officially establish the Hazara Electric Company in the Hazara region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Prime Minister stated, “This will reduce the oil imports and bring down the dollar rate, which will later be spent on the country’s progress, including agriculture and medicine.”
The new business would serve approximately 726,000 customers in Haripur, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Battagram, Torgarh, Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan, and Kolai Plus over an area of more than 16,774 square kilometers.
Source: Dawn.com