ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary Secretary for Planning, Development and Reform Saqlain Bukhari on Monday informed the National Assembly that the government was aware of the unemployment situation in the country and it had taken various steps to reduce it.
Responding questions in the House, the secretary said that the government had announced six schemes under the Youth Development Programme, including Micro Interest Free Loans, Small Business Loans, Youth Training, Youth Skill Development, Fee Assistance, and the PM Scheme for Laptops.
He said that the federal government had also allocated Rs. 525 billion under the Public Sector Development Programme 2014-15, which included mega projects like Karachi-Lahore Motorway, Hassanabdal-Havelian-Mansehra Expressway. Faisalabad-Khanewal Expressway, Lowari Tunnel and Access Roads, Raikot-Havelian-Islamabad Section.
The other projects were Gwadar-Turbat-Hoshab Road, New Islamabad International Airport, Diamer-Basha Dam, Dasu Dam. Kurram Tangi Dam, Neelum-Jhelum Hydro Power Project, Golan Gol Hydro Power Project, Kachhi Canal, etc, he added.
He hoped that with the implementation of these mega projects huge employment opportunities would be created.
Bukhari maintained that the unemployment would be reduced further if the law and order situation were strengthened and the democratic process not derailed.
Responding to another question regarding the allocation of development funds to Karachi, the parliamentary secretary stated that the government had announced 115 development projects for the Financial Year 2014-15, most of which were related to the port city.
He informed the House that the government, under the Public Sector Development Programme for the current financial year, had provided Rs 17 billion to 56 on-going and new projects located in Karachi costing overall Rs 1046 billion. The projects, among others, included Karachi Greater Water Supply (K4), Karachi Greater Sewerage Plant (S-III), Revival of Karachi Circular Railway (KCR), Lyari Expressway, etc.
Bukhari said that the government attached great importance to the port city that was why the prime minister made several visits to Karachi and gathered all the political leaders that conveyed good message to the public.
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