ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday assured that the federal government was taking all possible steps for the economic development of the merged districts and welfare of its people.
He was speaking to a delegation of tribal elders of the merged districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa led by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) President Maulana Fazlur Rehman who visited the Prime Minister’s House.
The jirga discussed in detail the improvement of public order in the merged districts and the construction and development of these areas.
While welcoming the delegation, the prime minister announced the restoration of the quota of the merged districts in medical colleges and engineering universities.
The tribal elders welcomed the decision, expressing happiness over restoration of the quota.
The prime minister said, “I am very happy to host the tribal elders at the Prime Minister House today.”
During conversation with the delegation, he said, “You belong to those areas of Pakistan that are the guardians of the glorious historical heritage and traditions.”
“Tribes have always made immense sacrifices for the security and peace of Pakistan,” he said adding, “Establishment of law and order in the merged districts is the top priority of the government.”
He said Pakistan’s security forces, police and law enforcement agencies were embracing martyrdom while fighting bravely against terrorists.
He urged that leaders of all schools of thought will have to play their role together to make Pakistan a cradle of peace.
“Providing equal and best opportunities for education, health, skills and employment to the people of the merged tribal districts, especially the youth, is our priority,” he stressed.
He said “The federal government has allocated a huge amount in this year’s development budget for the improvement of FATA University and police infrastructure in the merged districts.”
He directed to expand the scope of the committee established under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and Frontier Regions Engineer Amir Muqam on the issues of the merged districts.
“Tribal elders of merged districts are also being represented in this committee,” he noted.
The delegation expressed gratitude for expanding the scope of the committee, giving representation to tribal elders and for restoration of quota of merged districts in medical colleges and engineering universities.
The delegation paid tribute to the courageous strategy of Pakistan Army during the recent Pakistan-India conflict and for giving a befitting reply to the Indian aggression.
The delegation thanked the prime minister for the consultative session regarding peace and order, development and prosperity in the merged districts.
The prime minister said more such consultative sessions will be held with the tribal elders regarding the improvement of the merged tribal districts.
Federal Ministers including Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Power Division Sardar Owais Ahmed Leghari, Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and Frontier Regions Engineer Amir Muqam, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Advisers to the Prime Minister Pervez Khattak, Dr Tauqir Shah, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani and relevant senior government officials attended the meeting.
World Bank
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met with Regional Vice President of the World Bank for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAAP) Ousmane Dione, where they expressed a shared commitment to further strengthening cooperation in the coming years to achieve long-term development goals and build a prosperous future for the people of Pakistan.
During the meeting, the prime minister especially thanked World Bank President Ajay Banga and former Country Director for Pakistan Najy Benhassine for their pivotal role in advancing the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Pakistan.
He appreciated the strategic role of the CPF in supporting Pakistan’s development priorities, particularly in the areas of energy, human capital, climate change, and governance reforms.
He also acknowledged the World Bank’s principled support for Pakistan’s legitimate position in light of India’s unilateral and unlawful actions undermining important international agreements such as the Indus Waters Treaty.
The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to upholding international law, achieving prosperity, and maintaining regional peace, and reiterated the country’s resolve to resolve all issues through dialogue.
The prime minister thanked the World Bank for its timely and generous assistance during the devastating floods of 2022, which helped Pakistan initiate immediate relief efforts and begin reconstruction and rehabilitation activities.
Ousmane Dione expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the warm hospitality extended during his visit to Pakistan.
He reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment to deepening and expanding its longstanding partnership with Pakistan and enhancing collaboration in key sectors of the economy.
Mr Dione appreciated Pakistan’s ongoing macroeconomic recovery and praised the prime minister’s government for steering the country toward financial stability and sustainable growth.
He particularly commended the current administration’s reform agenda, noting PM Shehbaz Sharif’s strong leadership in advancing institutional reforms, restoring investor confidence, and promoting inclusive economic development.
Arizona State University
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to revolutionizing Pakistan’s education sector through the integration of cutting-edge technology and global partnerships with the support of the Arizona State University.
During a high-level meeting with a delegation from Arizona State University (ASU) led by Doug Becker, Founder and Chairman of Cintana Education held at the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz highlighted that aligning Pakistan’s education system with international standards was a top government priority.
The prime minister emphasized the need to modernize education and equip the country’s youth with professional and technical skills essential for competing in global markets.
“All government education policies are centered around creating employment opportunities for youth based on their professional capabilities,” the Prime Minister stated.
He praised the collaboration with Arizona State University as a transformative step, particularly the establishment of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Pakistan. “This partnership is a significant milestone. The NIT will serve as a world-class institution that trains Pakistani youth to compete globally,” he said.
The prime minister noted that the government has undertaken key reforms in the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) over the past year, making it a more efficient and effective institution.
He directed that NAVTTC should now work closely with ASU to bring innovation to the vocational training sector.
Discussions during the meeting focused on the operationalization of the NIT, set to commence this year. Doug Becker assured full support from ASU in providing resources and facilities to advance innovation in Pakistan’s education system.
At the conclusion of the meeting, PM Shehbaz Sharif unveiled a commemorative plaque marking the operational launch of the National Institute of Technology.
The meeting was also attended by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Federal Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and senior officials from relevant institutions.
