Islamabad, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar is set to attend as the special guest at a key signing ceremony in Islamabad, marking a significant joint venture between the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) and the American firm Miracle Saltworks Collective Inc. This collaboration aims to enhance the value and export potential of Himalayan Pink Salt, a prized natural resource of Pakistan.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the ceremony, organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy, will not only witness the formalization of this important agreement but will also feature an address by Prime Minister Kakar to the participants of the event. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to leveraging Pakistan’s mineral resources on the global stage and fostering international partnerships for economic growth.
Karachi, The Sindh provincial caretaker cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Justice (Retd) Maqbool Baqar, has approved a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing public services and infrastructure across the province. The decisions, made in a meeting at the CM House, include increasing water charges, utilizing Pakistan Steel Mill land for industrial purposes, and a comprehensive survey of unsurveyed lands.
According to Chief Minister Sindh, the cabinet has consented to the Federal Government’s use of Pakistan Steel Mills land for setting up an Export Processing Zone, with the stipulation that it be exclusively for industrial activities. This move is expected to bolster industrial growth in the region. The cabinet also addressed the need for increased Abiana (water) charges to cover the maintenance and repair costs of the province’s irrigation infrastructure, citing a significant disparity between current rates and expenditures.
In an effort to improve revenue collection and address discrepancies in land records, the cabinet outlined plans for a detailed survey of unsurveyed lands and a revision of the Record of Rights. The initiative aims to modernize land records management and enhance the accuracy of land documentation.
The meeting also resulted in the approval of significant funding for various sectors including health, education, and public works. Notably, the Sindh Education Foundation will receive additional funds for textbooks and examination fees, while the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) has been granted funds for a new MRI machine. Additionally, the recruitment of sub-registrars through the Sindh Public Service Commission and the procurement of vaccinators for the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) were sanctioned to improve public service delivery.
Further infrastructure developments include the rehabilitation of the Islamkot Reverse Osmosis Plant in Tharparkar and the construction of a road from Ahsanabad to the High Court Housing Society in Karachi. These projects are part of the government’s commitment to improving living standards and facilitating access to essential services.
The cabinet’s decisions reflect a multi-faceted approach to addressing the province’s challenges, from infrastructure development to public health and education. By increasing water charges and leveraging public-private partnerships, the government aims to sustainably finance the maintenance of vital irrigation systems and other public utilities. The meeting underscores the caretaker government’s efforts to lay the groundwork for more efficient and effective governance in Sindh.