ISLAMABAD: The government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has denied reports it had suspended public welfare initiatives taken by ousted premier Imran Khan’s government for the poor in the South Asian country.
Khan, who was ousted on Sunday in a no-trust vote in parliament, had opened shelters for homeless people across the country and launched the “Ehsaas” poverty alleviation program, aiming to reduce socio-economic inequalities by investing in people.
There has lately been a buzz on social media that the Sharif government was rolling back these programs due to tough economic conditions.
But Marriyum Aurangzeb, a close aide to PM Shairf and a former information minister, rejected these reports as “lies.”
“In his first address to the National Assembly after being elected prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif had made it clear that public service projects would continue,” Aurangzeb said in a statement.
“No program has been stopped, every project for the welfare of the people will be further improved,” she said.
Ex-PM Khan’s government launched the Ehsaas program in March 2019. It covers projects ranging from building homes for the homeless to ensuring financial independence for women and family planning initiatives.
Khan’s government also opened several shelter homes for the homeless and rolled out mobile food trucks under the hunger-free initiative to provide food to the poor and needy twice a day in various parts of Pakistan’s capital.
Government denies shutting down ex-PM Khan’s social safety, poverty alleviation programs
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Government denies shutting down ex-PM Khan’s social safety, poverty alleviation programs
- Government spokesperson says no program has been stopped, every project will be further improved
- Khan opened shelters for homeless people across Pakistan, launched poverty alleviation programs
Pakistan, China discuss $2.2 billion maritime industrial complex at Port Qasim
- The proposal aligns with Pakistan’s push to modernize port infrastructure and link Central Asian trade routes to sea lanes
- The project may include shipbuilding, shipbreaking and a port-linked steel mill, as authorities streamline port operations
KARACHI: Pakistan and China discussed plans for a large maritime industrial complex at Port Qasim involving up to €2 billion ($2.2 billion) in investment on Thursday, as Islamabad seeks to modernize its ports and position itself as a regional trade and logistics hub, a government statement said.
The proposal comes as Pakistan looks to upgrade port infrastructure to handle higher trade volumes and improve connectivity between sea lanes and landlocked Central Asian states, leveraging its geographic position at the crossroads of South and Central Asia. The effort aligns with the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which has underpinned Chinese investment in Pakistan’s energy, transport and infrastructure sectors with the aim of boosting regional connectivity.
The project was discussed during a meeting between a delegation from China’s Shandong Zinxu Group and Pakistan’s Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, according to the statement.
“Proposal for a comprehensive maritime industrial complex at Port Qasim was reviewed during the meeting,” Chaudhry said in a statement circulated after the talks.
“The proposed project could involve investment of €1–2 billion,” he added.
Chaudhry said the project under discussion could include the establishment of shipbuilding and shipbreaking facilities, as well as a modern, port-linked steel mill aimed at reducing Pakistan’s reliance on imported steel.
He added that the revival of the steel jetty at Port Qasim would be critical for the project’s viability.
The minister said employment generation, value addition and environmental considerations would be prioritized as part of the proposed investment, which, if approved, could rank among Pakistan’s largest industrial projects.
Pakistan has in recent months stepped up efforts to streamline port operations, including the introduction of artificial intelligence-based technologies to improve efficiency, reduce congestion and speed up cargo handling.
Only a day earlier, the maritime affairs minister met a delegation from Pakistan’s Ministry of Railways to discuss plans to establish a railway station and modern storage facilities at Port Qasim, aimed at improving logistics and cargo movement to and from the port.
