KARACHI, Aug 26: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that the government will ensure that the bill, which has been approved by the federal cabinet, is passed to end illegal trade and transplantation of organs in the country.
He was talking to Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation Director Dr Adibul Hassan Rizvi at the Governor’s House on Sunday.
The prime minister said that the government was focusing on poverty reduction and the bill once passed would help reduce the exploitation of the poor while providing avenues for legitimate donor assistance to the needy. He said steps were being taken to improve the financial condition of the poor.
Dr Rizvi said that more than 500 dialysis cases were being conducted daily and 350 kidney transplants were being carried out every year at the SIUT. In addition, he said, the institute offered treatment in related ailments free of cost to the poor.
He said that he also had planned to establish the Institute of Transplant Sciences and Biotechnology.
Apprising the prime minister of ground realities regarding the sale and transplantation of human organs, particularly kidneys, in Pakistan, Dr Rizvi lauded the government’s efforts to curb the illegal trade.
The prime minister also appreciated the dedication and missionary zeal of Dr Rizvi towards the noble cause.
Preparing for polls
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also met Federal Minister for Narcotics Control and a senior leader of the ruling party, Ghaus Bukhsh Mehar, at the Governor’s House and discussed with him the country’s current political situation, upcoming presidential and general elections and other related matters.
Mr Aziz said the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) and its coalition partners would participate fully in the upcoming elections on the basis of their track record, which included good governance, transparency and development.
He expressed confidence that the PML-Q having the strongest candidates and a track record of performance would win the elections. He said people would vote for the candidates of the ruling coalition to ensure continuity of development projects.
Ghaus Bukhsh Mehar apprised the prime minister about the change in his constituency and the uplift projects completed during the last few years. The prime minister accorded approval in principle to several new projects for provision of better infrastructure for the people of his constituency.
Trade links with Oman
While talking to a delegation of Pakistan-Oman Investment Company, led by its Chairman Yahya Bin Said Bin Abdullah Al-Jabri, at the Governor’s House on Sunday, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said there was a vast scope to further expand the growing relations between the two countries in a broad spectrum of areas, particularly trade and investment.
The prime minister said Pakistan and Oman were tied in the bonds of shared values, history and faith. This relationship had further strengthened diplomatic, cultural and economic relations between the two countries, he said.
He said that the geo-strategic location of Pakistan was pivotal in facilitating trade linkages among Asian countries. He said Pakistan on account of the success of a multi-faceted reform agenda, investment-friendly policies, transparent procedures, good governance and high rates of return had emerged as an attractive investment destination.
Mr Aziz said Pakistan was building energy, transportation and trade corridors to leverage the true potential of regional trade which would usher in an era of prosperity.
He said high economic growth rate achieved during the last five years was a result of consistency and continuity of policies. Despite being faced with new challenges the government was determined to continue developing the infrastructure, he added.
He appreciated the performance of Pakistan-Oman Investment Company and said the company was being run on professional lines. “There are yet multiple choices available for the investors,” he said, and expressed confidence that the private sector would be able to take advantage of the investment opportunities.
Uplift of Gwadar
The prime minister said the government was investing heavily in the infrastructure development of the coastal city. He said that work on a new airport in Gwadar would be initiated soon. He said that Gwadar deep seaport had already started functioning and the coastal highway linking Karachi to Gwadar was contributing towards the socio-economic uplift of the inhabitants of this area.
Yahya Bin Said Bin Abdullah Al-Jabri said Oman was moving actively on joint collaborative projects to expand economic ties with Pakistan.
He expressed satisfaction over the progress made by Pakistan-Oman Investment Company which has given impetus to economic cooperation between the two countries. Ever since its establishment, he mentioned, their venture had expanded three times to cater to the available opportunities.
The delegation appreciated the investment-friendly policies in Pakistan and said the policies had helped enhance economic cooperation between both the countries. Sindh Governor Dr IshratuI Ibad, Ambassador and Consul-General of the Sultanate of Oman and senior officials attended the meeting.—APP
