ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Monday said that the government was prioritising to uplift the backward areas at par with the developed parts of the country.
The prime minister, in a meeting with Country Director of World Bank Najy Benhassaine, appreciated the World Bank’s role for the development of backward areas particularly the remote parts of Balochistan.
He said that the World Bank had played its role in relief and rehabilitation of the people affected by the unprecedented floods in 2022.
Prime Minister Kakar said the government would extend all possible administrative support for the early completion of rehabilitation work in the flood-affected areas.
The World Bank country director apprised the prime minister of development work for uplift of Balochistan’s backward areas, flood rehabilitation work in Sindh, and the provision of funds pledged by the World Bank in Geneva.
Interim Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar also attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Monday directed the Caretaker Minister for Religious Affairs and the secretary to finalize arrangements ahead of the coming season of Hajj, under their supervision.
The prime minister chaired a preparatory meeting regarding the Hajj 2024. The meeting was attended by Caretaker Minister for Religious Affairs Aneeq Ahmed, secretary and other relevant authorities, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
He also asked for setting up a committee to review the Hajj arrangements and opined that there should be no compromise over the arrangements for the pilgrims.
The prime minister directed for submission of a comprehensive report over complaints of the pilgrims related to the Hajj 2023.
A directive was also issued to the relevant ministry and the Ministry of Information Technology for the launch of a mobile application and website for offering facilitation and registration of complaints for the intending pilgrims in the upcoming season through their joint collaboration.
PM Kakar also directed for constitution of a reforms committee to submit a report regarding complaints about the private Hajj companies with suggestions.
There was need to keep a vigil on the private Hajj companies so that the pilgrims sent by them should not face any difficulties, he added.
During the meeting, the caretaker prime minister also asked the minister and the secretary to personally visit Saudi Arabia, supervise the arrangements for the upcoming Hajj 2024 and submit a comprehensive report in that regard.
