Islamabad (Staff Report/Agencies): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday organised a ceremony at the Jinnah Convention Centre in the federal capital to apprise the nation of the government's performance over the first 100 days in power.
Senator Faisal Javed formally opened the event with a brief intro before making way for recitation of the Holy Quran.
While addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said that the policies adopted by his government in the first century of days in power were inspired by the state of Madina.
"In Madina, Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) adopted policies that were based on compassion; all policies were made for the poor," he said. "The tax system of Zakat was established where money was collected from the rich and redistributed to the downtrodden."
He also thanked first lady Bushra Bibi for putting up with his tough schedule, adding that "I have taken just a single day off in the first 100 days".
A major contributing factor to the "downtrodden's" plight, the PM said, is corruption, and explained why he has been so vociferous about the menace.
"The difference between developed and underdeveloped countries is corruption," he said. "We have so much assets but we are still behind, and our institutions are in shambles — all because of corruption.
"I did not know the extent of theft and corruption until I came to power. Every day something new comes up."
The premier said they formed a task force to fix government hospitals. "We are trying to improve condition of government hospitals through health reforms as well. But the hospital system is such that private sector cannot be competed with."
He said the government, together with health reforms, was introducing health cards, regretting that a poor man's entire budget is spent on treatment of diseases.
"We have decided that poor families across Pakistan will get health cards," Khan said.
Khan said his government was trying to introduce uniform curriculum across the county. "We planned how to bring children back to schools; we are bringing a complete plan for education."
He said his government was trying to introduce an education system which could change the system.
PM Khan vowed to equip farmers with modern technology.
"Small farmers are left behind because they do not have the technology, knowledge and money," he said. "We have to provide them the latest machinery and subsidies so they can purchase [latest] machinery."
The premier said that Pakistan's fisheries exports are "non-existent despite water resources", adding that "a private party has done a pilot project through which shrimp farming can be done".
He also floated the idea of "caged fishing, especially in Balochistan" which he said has "so much potential; we can export as well".
He urged the expansion of the tax net, explaining that low tax collection lead to inflation. "How is it that only 72,000 people show their income above Rs 200,000?" he wondered.
PM Khan said that Pakistan's tourism industry has great potential, adding that a task force has been formed to promote the country's religious and ecological tourism.
The prime minister gave an overview of the planned legal forms, for which he credited Law Minister Farogh Naseem.
As part of the reforms, he said, "civil courts will have to decide cases within a year and a half".
"Legal aid authority will provide legal help to people who cannot afford to hire one," he added.
PM’s Adviser for Establishment Division Shahzad Arbab said that the government had managed to initiate at least 18 of the projects and schemes out of the 36 projects it had announced in May.
Establish Asset Recovery Unit and Trace Unlawful Wealth: Task force to recover unlawful wealth established and functioning. Assets Recovery Unit set up in the PM Office and fully operational. Legal Assistance Bill 2018 finalised. Declaration of UK/Pakistan Justice and Accountability partnership. Update on work done by the taskforce published at the end of 100 Days
Draft Local Government Act of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and ICT: Review of Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab LG system with recommended improvements. Proposed blueprint for revamped LG system for Punjab, KP and ICT developed for review. Draft legislation to amend LG law in each province / ICT, and intended timelines for election published is still being worked on.
Legal Reforms to Revolutionalise Access to Justice: Civil Law and Criminal Law Reforms Task forces created. Review of Civil Laws completed to recommend amendments to achieve expeditions and adjudication of Civil cases. Initiate draft legislation for Civil procedure. Initiation of Criminal Law reforms. Review of substantive laws completed and procedures in relation to issuance of letters and succession certificates. Legal Vetting of Disability, Corporal Punishment and Torture Bill. Finalisation of legislation for setting Legal Aid Authority under the Ministry of Human Rights.
Economic Support Package for Revival of Manufacturing Sector: Economic Support Package for Revival of Manufacturing Sector Announced (Finance Minister. Tariff Policy announced (Commerce Adviser). Backlog of refunds and rebates cleared (Finance Minister) in in progress
Naya Pakistan Housing Programme: Housing task force established. Policy framework developed is still being worked on.
Framework to establish National Tourism Board: Task force on tourism established. Private Sector investment framework is worked on.
FBR reforms roadmap: FBR Chairperson to be appointed (Adviser, Establishment). FBR Reform Blueprint to be developed and launched (Chairman, FBR). Tax Policy to be developed and announced (Finance Minister).
Ease of doing business: Economic Advisory Council appointed – Finance. Council of Business Leaders appointed – Advisor Commerce. “Ease of Doing Business” Strategy Developed and Published
National financial inclusion strategy implementation plan National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) working group. NFIS implementation plan developed and published. Plan to increase deposit base of banks developed and published
National Agriculture Emergency Programme on crops, livestock, fisheries, agriculture markets and conserving water: National agriculture emergency working group established. Complete National livestock emergency working group established
National Water Policy: Council of Common Interests meeting on national water. Task force established for the implementation of the National Water Policy
Education Blueprint: Federal / ICT strategy on Education developed and published, outlining federal role on education, in line with the 18th amendment
Health Blueprint: Federal / ICT strategy on Health developed and published, outlining federal role in health, in line with the 18th amendment
Social Protection Programme: Develop new programme to “Reduce Stunting” through the platform of BISP. Develop new programme on “Graduating Poor out of Poverty” through the platform of BISP. Expand education enrolment programme through BISP
Action Plan for Women and Girls in the Justice System: Consultations with stakeholders for development of action plan on criminal justice. Action plan on criminal justice developed and execution started. Awareness campaign on inheritance rights launched. Consultations with stakeholders for action plan on inheritance rights with Ministry of Human Rights. Action Plan on inheritance rights developed with Ministry of Human Rights.
Increase Pakistan’s regional and global relevance: Key foreign policy issues on which strategy needs to be reviewed by the PM prioritised. National positions, and plans of action on all key issues, and in particular on Kashmir, approved by the PM. Enhance Pakistan’s National Security
Launch 10 Billion Tree Tsunami: Restructure existing Task forces on Climate Change and Wildlife to drive Government’s Green Growth Agenda. 10 billion tree Tsunami launched. Urban tree Tsunami launched.
Clean Drinking Water Plan (ICT only): Options on clean drinking water developed for ICT. Plan developed and launched.