PM Khan, Azeri Defence Minister discuss strong defense ties

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said the government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had made remarkable improvements in public sector development particularly health, education, and economy. “No government in the past has ever taken steps for the welfare of common man as done by the PTI government,” he said in his address here at the groundbreaking of a new 200-bed accident and emergency centre at Pakistan Institute of Medical Science (PIMS) and another 300-bed Jinnah Hospital in Sector G-11/3.

The prime minister said the provision of best facilities for emergency patients was in line with fulfilling the requirements of humanity.  He said the quality medical facilities at PIMS and Jinnah Hospital would facilitate the growing population of the capital as per the international best practices. He expressed satisfaction that the new setup at PIMS would supplement the existing healthcare facilities and would also aid in reducing the burgeoning load of patients in Islamabad and the suburbs. He thanked the overseas Pakistanis to sponsor the architectural designs of the PIMS emergency section.

Minister of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan Colonel General Zakir Hasanov on Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad on Monday. According to a statement issued by the PM Office, noting the strong and robust defence ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, PM Imran Khan expressed the desire to further expand these brotherly relations with special focus on bilateral trade, tourism and people-to-people contacts. The prime minister lauded Azerbaijan’s contribution in the OIC, especially as an active member of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir.

He also congratulated the leadership and people of Azerbaijan on liberation of their occupied territories and appreciated Azerbaijan’s efforts in pursuing the objective of peace and prosperity in South Caucasus. Minister of defence Hasanov conveyed the greetings from the president of Azerbaijan to the prime minister. He informed that a contingent of Azerbaijan armed forces will participate in the National Day Parade of Pakistan on 23rd March.

PM Imran Khan chaired a meeting of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) political committee on Monday. According to details, the current political condition of the country and other important matters along with no-confidence motion were discussed. The meeting was briefed about contacts made by the party leadership with the dissident lawmakers and coalition partners of the government.

It merits mention that opposition seeks to throw Khan out after rallying thousands of people on a campaign that he has mismanaged the economy, governance and foreign policy but the ruling PTI has accused joint opposition of horse trading and buying loyalties of the disgruntled members. No Pakistani prime minister has ever completed his term in office. The joint opposition consists of major parties such as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) – of former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto – and has a strength of nearly 163 in the lower house.