Says Expo 2020 ideal platform to highlight Pakistan’s products, tourism potential

— Seeks trader community’s cooperation in poverty alleviation campaign

KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan here on Friday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was against carving out of a new province from Sindh. Talking to a delegation of coalition parties at the Governor House in Karachi, PM Imran Khan said, “Division will not be needed in Sindh after implementation of new local body system in the province.” The delegation included Firdous Shamim Naqvi, Khurram Sher Zaman, Haleem Aadil Sheikh, Faisal Vawda , Ashraf Qureshi, Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Anand Kumar, Nusrat Sehar Abbasi, Sadruddin Shah Rashadi and others. The meeting discussed overall political situation of Sindh, ongoing federal government development projects in the province and allied parties’ affairs.  Earlier on April 13, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) had demanded Prime Minister Imran Khan to intervene in Sindh to rescue the province in the aftermath of 18th Amendment. Convener of MQM-P Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui while addressing a press conference along with other core party members, had said, “There are two (2) Sindhs, only an official announcement is due.” Owing to the biased approach of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Siddiqui had explained that Sindh had already been divided “with the implementation of quota system and by stripping the Muhajir community off of their properties under the pretext of nationalisation.” Meanwhile,  Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday said that Expo 2020 to be held in Dubai would provide an ideal platform to introduce Pakistani products and highlight the country’s potential in tourism at regional and international level. In a meeting with the members of the Expo 2020 Theme Committee at Governor House in Karachi, the prime minister called for taking full advantage of the event, a PM Office statement said. The meeting was attended by Governor of Sindh Imran Ismail, Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi, Commerce Advisor Abdul Razak Dawood, Secretary Trade Development Authority (TDAP) Saleh Farooqui, Director General TDAP Syed Rafi Bashir Shah and other members of the committee. On the other hand, Prime Minister Imran Khan has sought cooperation of trader community for accomplishment of his mission to eliminate poverty. He was talking to the delegation of Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and industry and trade community that called on him in Karachi Friday.

The Prime Minister has stressed upon trade community to take benefit of amnesty scheme announce by the government. He said that government will provide all possible cooperation and facilities to promote investment and trade. The prime minister said the corruption during the previous government had marred the economy. “We have inherited a fragile economy. I cannot let the plunderers off,” he remarked. He told the delegation that the government had appointed experts at the Federal Board of Revenue and State Bank of Pakistan.  The prime minister said the government desired the private sector to play a key role for bringing about the economic stability. The government would extend all out facilities for promotion of investment and business activities, he added. Agencies