ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday directed the PM Delivery Unit (PMDU) to set up a national emergency helpline for the assistance of people.

The decision was taken in the wake of the gang-rape of a woman in front of her children on Lahore-Sialkot motorway on Sept 9 as she waited for help after her car broke down.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Prime Minister Khan asked the PMDU to complete work on the emergency helpline within two months.

He was informed that a separate network would be established for the helpline, accessible from across the country and all emergency helpline numbers would be linked to the new system. Cellular companies will also be approached in this regard.

A toll-free number will be dedicated to the helpline, the prime minister was told.

Decision by PM comes in the wake of Lahore-Sialkot motorway gang-rape incident; Imran reiterates Pakistan will strengthen its capability to safeguard vital national interests

Besides, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said the country’s energy sector is facing crisis, and regretted that past pacts have had “negative impacts” on the cost of electricity and circular debt.

Presiding over a meeting on the energy sector, he said the common man and the industrial sector were burdened with the earlier agreements which not only resulted in costly power generation but also high circular debt accumulated while making efforts to keep electricity prices down.

“That weight also impacted the national exchequer,” he added.

The prime minister directed that the system for provision of subsidy should be made fair and transparent and special focus be made on ensuring relief to the deserving people.

APP adds: Prime Minister Khan said that Pakistan’s nuclear and strategic capability is safe and secure under the robust command and control system.

During his visit to the satellite ground station of Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, Mr Khan resolved that Pakistan would continue to strengthen its strategic capability to safeguard its vital national interests.

Meanwhile, Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan called on the prime minister and discussed matters related to the aviation sector.

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2020