Islamabad
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan Wednesday said Pakistan which had been put on the path to progress by the incumbent government, had successfully completed its journey from ‘terrorism to tourism’
It was amply clear from the statement of United Nations Secretary General António Guterres about tourism that Pakistan had emerged as a destination for tourists and investors, she said while talking to the media here flanked by NDRMF Chief Executive Lt Gen (retd) Nadeem Ahmed.
Dr Firdous said the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF) had decided to launch development projects in various areas of Balochistan, which were vulnerable to drought and floods. She said no strategy was devised by the past regimes for tackling national disaster risks, but today NDRMF was taking pre-emptive measures under a well-planned strategy to mitigate the effects of natural calamities, which were not only laudable, but also proof of a changed Pakistan. The Fund would secure the country’s future, she added. The SAPM said institutions like the NDRMF existed in some developed countries. The donations made by the well-to-do people would surely and promptly reach the needy, besides covering the damages of natural disasters. She said international donors had already pledged billions of dollars funds, which would be used by the NDRMF on development projects in backward areas, particularly Balochistan.
The NDRMF projects would also help improve the country’s eco-system, she added.
She said the world confidence in Pakistan had restored as an honest leadership was at the helm of its affairs. On the contrary, the past rulers used to keep their personal interests supreme, she added.
The SAPM said a strategy would be devised for providing monetary support to the journalists in case of non- payment of salaries by the media owners. Responding to a question, she said Prime Minister Imran Khan was making utmost efforts to minimize the problems being faced by the masses. An effective strategy was being devised to check smuggling. There would be zero tolerance for the smugglers. –APP
