PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has said that unlike its predecessors the sitting provincial government will accept foreign assistance from its international development partners on principles, taking people’s needs into account.
He assured a delegation comprising British High Commissioner Philip Barton and head of the Department for International Development Richard Montgomery here on Tuesday that the provincial government would make sure the judicious utilisation of the foreign assistance.
Mr Khattak said that the previous provincial governments obtained loans in the name of people and spent the money on buying luxuries, which led to growth of the provincial debt.
“This practice will not be allowed any longer,” a handout issued after the meeting quoted the chief minister as having said.
He said the PTI-led coalition government was making a sincere effort for ensuring transparency and eliminating corruption in all sectors.
In this respect, he said that new laws were being promulgated to eliminate corruption and ensure transparency, and mentioned some of the recently adopted legislations, including Right to Services, Right to Information, Ehtesab Commission.
According to the release, the British high commissioner while appreciating the laws and reforms undertaken by the provincial government said that the world community would continue extending assistance to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said that besides supporting the establishment of peace in the province, the international community was also interested in creating an environment for encouraging investment in different sectors.
The delegation assured the chief minister that their organisations under the strategic development partnership would extend full cooperation to the PTI-led coalition government, helping it to give practical shape to its developmental and reformative agenda.
Mr Khattak informed the delegation about the steps and achievements of his government aimed at reforming the social sectors, including basic education and health, as well as eliminating corruption, commission and other mal-practices from the government machinery.
He appreciated cooperation of the British government and DFID in health and education sectors. He said the provincial government had declared emergency in these sectors because the basic reason of the plight of people here was due to neglecting it by the past regimes.
“Our people need technical education and skill development trainings because only this way we can equip our youth with latest skills and technologies and can enable them to get maximum jobs and live honourable life,” said the chief minister.
Meanwhile, US Consul General in Peshawar Gabriel Escobar and head education Karin Bronson also called on the chief minister. In addition to offering cooperation in the education sector, he discussed with the chief minister matters of mutual interest.
Among those present on the occasion included Chief Secretary Mohammad Shehzad Arbab, additional chief secretary Khalid Pervez, advisor to the CM on economic affairs Rafaqatullah Babar and senior officials of the departments of elementary and secondary education, health and finance.