PM Abbasi urges nation to vote for Pakistan in July

By Ashrafuddin Pirzada

LANDIKOTAL: Urging to vote for Pakistan in July next, Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Wednesday congratulated the Pakistani nation that it was a

day of pride for Pakistan Muslim League(N) that several mega developmental projects including Jamrud grid station were not only launched in their government but all were completed before the estimated time.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi along with the governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra and national deputy speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi and additional Chief Secretary Fata Sikandar Qayuum arrived to Jamrud via helicopters around 4pm. Strict security arrangements were taken in Jamrud. Army, frontier Corps, levies and Khasadars were deployed at various locations. Helicopters were also seen hovering in the sky during the Prime Minister visit.

Speaking on the occasion, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that it was his second visit in the past few months to Khyber Agency. “I feel proud to be among the loyal and honorable tribal people and hope that Fata people will keep respect of the turbine (qula) you wore me”,the Priemer asked the huge gathering of tribal people who warmly welcomed him and showered flowers on him as he arrived.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi  said the Jamrud grid station completed in the record estimated time worth 780 million rupees. He said the grid station would not only minimize load shedding in Jamrud but it would also create jobs for local people.

The Prime Minster they were working to provide Sui-gas to Jamrud,Bara and Landikotal subdivisions of Khyber Agency but due to the election commission constraints they failed to finalize the project. However, he said that Pakistan Muslim League(N) was committed to provide every facility to the tribal people at their door step.

“PML-N not believe on hollow slogans and false pledges but practically exercised in the past five years by giving mega developmental projects across Pakistan”, said Abbasi, adding that work on 1700 kilometers Motorway was continue and by the end of 2019 passengers from Peshawar would go to Karachi by motorway. The Prime Minister said in his recent visit to Afghanistan he also talked to President Ashraf Ghani that Pakistan want to construct Motorway from Pakistan to Kabul and Ashraf Ghani agreed.

Regarding the burning Fata merger issue Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said they had been in a process of consultation with different stakeholders to decide the fate of Fata people. “It is not possible that all at once bring change in the status of Fata as it would need gradual and time to time shifting of system from Frontier Crimes Regulations(FCR) into the law and constitution prevail in the other parts of Pakistan”, the prime Minister claimed. He said it was the PML-N government stance to do what favor Pakistan and benefit its people. However, he said they assure tribal people that Fata system would be changed but would take some time.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said currently Fata administration assuming Rs125000 million (125arab) to run Fata affairs. He said if Fata status was changed would be trice doubled the cost of required amount for different sectors to run it smoothly in the tribal areas. He said Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Jeved Bajwa also assured him that Pakistan army and other security forces agencies would work side by side with the government to initiate projects in tribal areas. He said before Fata merger tribal people need their basic rights including quality of education, health and jobs opportunities.

Earlier, Senator Taj Muhammad Afridi presented a welcome address while his brother MNA Shahji Gul Afridi presented major demands including the provision of gas and jobs for the Fata people.

The prime Minister flanked by deputy speaker Murtaza Jeved Abbasi,KP governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra,MNA Shahji Gul,senator Mirza Khan,MNA Ghalib Khan, commissioner Peshawar Shahab Ali Shah,ACS Fata Sikandar Qayuum and Tesco CEO Mian Muhammood formally inaugurated 132KV Jamrud grid station.