PM Abbasi inaugurates first dirty cargo terminal at Port Qasim

KARACHI - Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Saturday inaugurated country's first coal, clinker and cement terminal at Port Qasim near Karachi.

Speaking on an occasion, the prime minister said that the government made heavy investment in the project, which is eco-friendly.

Sponsored by the Marine Group of Companies, the Pakistan International Bulk Terminal (PIBT) has been completed at a cost of $285 million over three years.

He further said that PML-N's government was first in country's history that has accomplished development projects during his tenure.

Referring to Lowari tunnel, he said that the project was initiated by the then prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto some 45 years ago, but it was completed by Nawaz Sharif.

He highlighted that the incumbent government generated 10,000MW electricity during the period of four years.

After December, the gas will be available to the consumers as per the requirements, he said, adding that new gas connection will also be issued.

"After December, people will get whatever amount of gas they require, and new connections will also be issued," he said.

The prime minister said that progress in country cannot be attained without democracy as military dictatorship always halted it. There are always challenges for democracy, he said, adding that these will tackled.

The premier added that the public will elect those in next election who have showed better performance during their rule.

He reached Karachi on daylong visit today where Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Governor Muhammad Zubair and other officials received him at Karachi airport.

He is also scheduled to hold meeting with the officials of the Pakistan Stock Exchange where a briefing on performance of the market will be given.

It is notable that PM Abbasi is visiting Sindh for third time since after holding the office following the disqualification of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

On August 12, he visited Karachi and announced a package worth Rs25 billion for the development projects in the city, besides announcing Rs5 billion development fund for Hyderabad.

On August 27, he again reached Karachi for inauguration of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal Two at Port Qasim.