He said the government is cognizant of the peoples' problems as because of depreciation of exchange rate, prices of gas, electricity and other commodities have gone up. Khan said the government is always thinking of making sure that all the policies are directed towards poverty reduction. A concerted poverty alleviation programme would be launched to deal with the problem of poverty in the country, he said adding that low-interest loans would also be provided to the people for construction of low-cost houses.
He said Pakistan tourism potential is more than $40 billion, according to an internal agency, and investors are showing interest in this regard. He said that his dream of a welfare-state to provide health, education and justice to the poor by the government would be fulfilled. The Prime Minister said that he was expecting much earlier from the health minister to launch health cards and was happy that finally health cards for FATA and Islamabad are being launched.
He said budget has been allocated for this purpose and each family would be allowed medical treatment up to Rs 720,000 under the health card. The Prime Minister said that health problems sometimes cost the poor family everything (entire saving and even household items) and health card would help the government reduce the poverty. He said Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid would ensure provision of health cards to 10 million families in Punjab, which would bring about a big change in Punjab. "We gave 'Sehat Cards' to more than half of the households that were living below the poverty line in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa," he said.