FAISALABAD/CHINIOT, Nov 30 (APP): Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh has said the federal government is committed to rehabilitating flood-affected communities, restoring basic services, and improving the country’s overall economic conditions.
Speaking to the media during his visit to a free medical camp in Chak No. 221 Dogra, about 45 kilometres from Chiniot city, he reviewed ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts in remote and flood-hit areas.
“These far-flung localities were recently included in the tehsil limits and face a severe shortage of basic facilities,” he said, adding that federal and provincial governments are working together to bring these underdeveloped areas into the mainstream of development.
Medical camps have been established in remote villages to provide free treatment, but due to a lack of hospitals and specialist doctors, residents still travel long distances for proper healthcare, the minister noted. He emphasized that improving healthcare and education remains a top government priority, and with rapid population growth, expanding these facilities has become essential.
Qaiser Sheikh highlighted that enhancing purchasing power and living standards is central to the government’s economic policies and urged provincial governments to take a more proactive role in health and education, which fall under their jurisdiction.
Responding to questions about by-elections, he said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had secured clear victories, reflecting public confidence in the government’s policies. While many public needs remain unmet, the government is continuously working to address them.
He stressed Pakistan’s low standard of living and the urgent need for collective efforts to strengthen the economy. Outlining the government’s economic roadmap, he said the target is to raise GDP growth from the current 3.5 percent to at least 6 percent in the coming years. Under the “Uraan Pakistan” program, the government aims to expand the national economy from $400 billion to $1 trillion over the next decade.
The minister also called for a “Charter of Economy” among all political forces to ensure sustainable growth beyond political differences. Recalling recent economic challenges, he noted that three years ago, Pakistan faced a serious risk of default, but Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s efforts to secure the IMF program helped stabilize the economy.
Highlighting investment opportunities, he said Pakistan’s rare minerals are in high global demand, and increased investment would create jobs and promote value-added industries, though desired investment inflows have yet to be fully realized.
During his visit to the medical camp, Qaiser Sheikh reviewed the facilities and distributed three-piece suits to flood-affected and deserving women.
