Govt prioritising shift to digital, cashless economy: PM
Shehbaz deploys ministers to oversee flood relief in K-P
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said that the government is working on a priority basis to digitise the economy and transition the transaction system to a cashless and digital model.
PM Shehbaz stated this while presiding a review meeting on cashless and digital economy in Islamabad.
The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the steps taken and progress made toward a cashless economy.
“The government is working to change the buying and selling system to a cashless system,” he said.
He instructed all the chief secretaries to fully cooperate with the federal government in taking the Raast system to the district government level.
The meeting was briefed on the progress of initiatives toward a cashless economy.
According to the briefing, digital IDs will be created through Pakistan Digital Public Infrastructure, which will include each individual’s national identity card, biometric data, and mobile phone numbers.
These digital IDs will be used for digital payments, the briefing added.
The briefing also stated that provincial governments have made significant progress in linking public-to-government and government-to-public payment systems with Raast.
Regarding the development of digital infrastructure, the federal development authority has granted right of way for fiber connectivity, while discussions with Pakistan Railways and the National Highway Authority in this regard are ongoing.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Finance & Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahsan Iqbal Cheema, Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for IT & Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, Prime Minister’s Advisor Dr Tauqir Shah, Minister of State for Finance & Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, and other senior government officials.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has deployed federal ministers to supervise relief efforts in flood-affected districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, after devastating floods and heavy rains left 314 people dead and 156 injured across the province between August 15 and 17.
Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Engineer Amir Muqam, will oversee relief operations in Shangla and Buner, while the Power Division minister has been tasked with monitoring activities in Buner. Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yousaf will supervise operations in Mansehra, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Mubarak Zeb will coordinate relief in Bajaur.
Premier has also ordered the dispatch of additional consignments of food, tents and medicines to the worst-hit areas under the federal relief package.
Govt to use all resources for tree plantation campaign: PM
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said the government of Pakistan was committed to the new tree plantation campaign by utilizing all available means and natural solutions in order to increase the proportion of forests and soil fertility under its Green Pakistan Programme.
In a message on the occasion of Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign, he said, “Let us unite in this national tree plantation campaign and make it a success in a systematic manner so that a green, healthy, clean and prosperous Pakistan can be our destiny and that of our future generations.”
“On the launch of the Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign in Pakistan, I urge all my dear countrymen to develop a sense of responsibility to fulfil this important national, environmental and climate duty,” he remarked.
“Let the federal and provincial governments, social and religious leaders and citizens of all ages from different classes and walks of life renew their commitment to plant trees because the tree plantation campaign is not just a symbolic act, but it is a national duty to create a healthy and natural environment for future generations and prevent the disasters of climate change,” he added.
The prime minister said the government was observing the monsoon tree plantation campaign under different themes this year to highlight the importance of tree plantation and the role of different segments of society.
“The campaign needs the involvement of women, youth and various institutions in tree plantation and climate change prevention activities. It will also be an occasion to pay tribute to the sacrifices of those who were martyred during different rescue operations,” he noted.
He said, “Plantation, with its positive impact on human life, plays a key role in the conservation and growth of our beloved country’s invaluable natural resources, flora and fauna.”
“Increasing the proportion of plantation is essential to prevent the harmful effects of climate change. Pakistan is among the countries worst affected by climate change in the world,” he observed.
He reminded that the recent monsoon season’s exceptional rainfall and the destruction caused by flash floods and the loss of life and property had once again shown that climate change mitigation measures were crucial for Pakistan.
“The proportion of forests in Pakistan is five percent, which is insufficient for the environmental protection of any country. With the joint and united efforts of all citizens and classes, the proportion of forests can be significantly increased, and Pakistan can cope with environmental challenges and difficulties,” he stressed.
He said in the current national plantation campaign, 41 million new saplings will be planted across the length and breadth of Pakistan during the three months, from August to October.
