Bajaur (Agencies): Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that Pakistan is a peace loving country and wants to live in peace with all its neighbouring countries.
Addressing a public gathering at Khar, the headquarters of Bajaur district, the prime minister said instead of war Pakistan is interested in investment, prosperity and creating job opportunities for its people. However, our desire for peace should not be misunderstood as our weakness.
Imran Khan said we have repeatedly asked India for talks to resolve the Kashmir dispute but a political party in India is promoting hatred due to elections there.
The prime minister lauded the role of Pakistan Air Force in defense of the motherland and asked the people to remain vigilant about the designs of the enemy before the Indian general elections.
He also paid rich tribute to the people of occupied Kashmir, who are rendering sacrifices to achieve their right to self-determination.
Imran Khan said the national economy has weakened due to corruption by leadership of two political parties in the last ten years. He categorically stated that there will be no compromise on corruption and no NRO will be offered.
Referring to the steps taken by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government for improvement of the national economy, Imran Khan said China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Malaysia are investing in the country.
The PM said the amount to be generated from this investment will be spent on providing health and education facilities to the people. He said a new era of prosperity has started in tribal areas after their merger in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Imran Khan announced Rs 2 billion for providing interest free loan to youth of Bajaur to start their own business. He said grid stations in Bajaur will be upgraded besides converting three hundred mosques to solar energy.
The PM said eight thousand tribal people will be provided jobs besides enhancing sports facilities. He said Bajaur will be linked with Swat Motorway to promote tourism in the area.
Imran Khan said an industrial estate will be constructed in Bajaur and vocational centers to provide technical training to youth. He said Levies and Khasadar Forces will be merged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police and their salaries will be enhanced. The PM said that internet facility will also be provided in Bajaur.
Addressing the gathering, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan announced a number of development schemes for the area including opening the campus of FATA University in Bajaur, construction of a sports complex, a social welfare complex and vocational training center.
Earlier on Friday, the prime minister launched Sehat Insaf Card scheme in tribal districts.
Addressing the tribal elders at Ghalanai, the Headquarters of Mohmand district, he said people of tribal districts will benefit from the Sehat Insaf Card like rest of the countrymen.
The PM said the holder of the card will be entitled to get treatment in any hospital up to seven hundred and twenty thousand rupees annually. He said tribal districts will be developed. Education and job opportunities will be created for tribal youth.
The prime minister said Mohmand Dam will be constructed which will not only generate electricity but also irrigate a vast barren land.
He said tourism will also be promoted in tribal districts. He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has great potential for tourism and this has helped in reduction of poverty during the last five years.
Meanwhile, speaking at a briefing at Ghalanai, the prime minister directed to ensure equitable distribution of funds for the development projects meant for tribal districts merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said these projects should be ensured corruption free.
The meeting reviewed the steps taken regarding administrative reforms, people's representatives, local bodies' system, public welfare and development projects. It was also briefed about Federal Government's roadmap regarding these measures.
Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shah Farman, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mehmood Khan, Communication Minister Murad Saeed, Minister for Kashmir Affairs Ali Amin Gandapur, Minister for Religious Affairs Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, Prime Minister's Advisor Muhammad Shehzad Arbab, Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi, Corps Commander of Peshawar, and other senior officers attended the briefing.