ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday said that record funds had been disbursed among the federating units under the Pakistan-Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government’s tenure. Chairing a meeting of the cabinet, the prime minister said that all the development and energy security initiatives had either been completed or in completion phase, which “speaks volumes of the development and energy security endeavours bearing fruit during the PML-N government since 2013”. The premier informed the cabinet that these initiatives of national importance started by the PML-N government were unmatched if compared to those planned from 1999 to 2008. He informed the cabinet about his recent visit to Karachi, during which he announced Rs 25 billion for Karachi and Rs 5 billion for Hyderabad under a comprehensive package to be implemented by the federal government under the policy and administrative supervision of Sindh governor with fixed timelines and fixed costs. He said that under the package, a hospital and a medical college for Karachi would be set up, besides extension of Green Line metro to other areas and additional resources for new water projects. The premier said that 50 fire tenders would be provided to the KMC, while a series of underpasses and bridges would be constructed to reduce the traffic mess in the port city. Regarding Hyderabad package, he said that a university and a medical college would be established in Hyderabad, while additional grant would be provided to the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. He said that upgradation of infrastructure of all industrial states was also included in the package. “These projects will be executed within a fixed time and cost transparently,” he added. The premier also informed the cabinet members about the meeting he chaired on law and order in the wake of recent surge in street crimes in the port city. He said that the provincial government had been asked to play it’s due role in the development work in the province in general and Karachi in particular. PM Abbasi reaffirmed all-out support from the federal government to the provincial government in the development projects and for ensuring peace and security in Sindh. The cabinet members lauded the announcements the prime minister had made during his visit to Karachi. Abbasi also informed the cabinet about the recent presentations given to him on WAPDA and NHA, which lasted for several hours but remained incomplete due to paucity of time. He said that so much development work and energy initiatives had been taken under the PML-N government that they were difficult to summarise in detailed presentations. The interior secretary briefed the cabinet members on laws relating to weapons’ licensing. The members discussed the proposal in detail. In this regard, the PM constituted a committee chaired by himself, with the interior minister, minister for CADD, minister of state for information and broadcasting and national security adviser as its members, to collate proposals of cabinet members put forward. The premier directed the Interior Ministry to revalidate data regarding licences issued, adding that 90-days grace period to be given to all licence holders of prohibited weapons for registration with NADRA. The premier also directed to hold cabinet meeting every Tuesday. Published in Daily Times, August 16th 2017.