Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday said that the investment in technology sector was vital to create employment for the youth as well as improve the national economy. “The future is technology. The Special Technology Zone is a complete ecosystem. The provincial government generated resources for the project which will have a positive impact on next generations,” the prime minister said addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of Pakistan Digital City Special Technology Zone here.
The flagship project of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government would be established on 86 kanals of land and would cost Rs 1.31 billion. A large number of IT and allied technologies including electronics, computers and mobile phones, software houses and technology incubators would largely benefit from the project that would boost the allied industries and generate hundreds of thousands of jobs for the youths.
The prime minster, who earlier kicked off work on the project, lauded Dr Attaur Rehman and former KP Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak for taking the initiatives which he said would have far reaching impact on the provincial development.
He said after coming into power in 2013, it was the KP government that had introduced health insurance facility for the low-income people of the province despite financial constraints. Moreover, it was also the PTI government that raised the issues of climate change, forestation, institution building and tourism.
The prime minister also appreciated Dr Attaur Rehman for his support to establish Pak-Austria Fachhochschule Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology in Haripur which would have positive impact on next generations. Earlier Prime Minister Imran Khan has appreciated Defence Minister Pervez Khattak for launching several public welfare initiatives during his tenure as Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) chief minister in 2013-18, days after the latter reportedly exchanged heated words with the premier at the ruling PTI’s parliamentary meeting.
PM Imran praised the defence minister while addressing the inaugural ceremony of establishing special technology zone in KP’s Haripur on Monday.
“When Pervez Khattak was chief minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkwa he did a lot of good things like [launching] health card scheme,” the premier remarked.
Despite lack of resources, PM Imran said KP under Khattak’s rule was the only province in the country that launched projects to combat climate change.