Addressing the Sehat Insaf Card launching ceremony for tribal districts here at the Governor's House, Imran said that the health insurance scheme is a component of that draft comprehensive poverty alleviation programme to address maximum problems of tribesmen.
The prime minister said that PAP initiative would be first of its kind under which all the state institutions working for poverty alleviation including Zakat, Pakistan Baitul Mal, BISP and others would be placed under a head to make coordinated efforts for poverty alleviation.
Imran Khan said PAP would be started in tribal areas first and then in rest of the country, adding the government would also introduce other public welfare projects including schools, hospitals, basic health units and others in merged districts on priority basis to resolve issues of tribal people.
He congratulated the Health Minister Amir Kiyani for introducing SIC in tribal areas and said that though the project was delayed as the government was struck in various other social-economic issues but it would bring a positive change in life of common man.
He recalled when PTI came to power the country was facing multiple challenges especially huge amount of foreign loans and worst economic situation, asserting, "the country is out of crisis now and the economy is improving."
The Premier referred to the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and said that it was welcoming that he was coming along with a huge investment plans that would usher a new era of prosperity in the country and people would get several opportunities.
He said introduction of SIC in merged districts was among one of the commitments made by PTI which was fulfilled. The tribal areas were already less privileged from last 12 years and military operations against terrorists and militants further aggravated the situation there due to which the tribal people suffered a lot.
The Prime Minister said that from day first he was against use of force in tribal areas because he believed that whenever power was used the common man suffered.
He said military operations in tribal areas were carried out under certain compulsions and tribal people also faced difficulties but now the government was making all out efforts to address their issues.
Earlier, he said SIC would give Rs 720,000 medical cover to each tribal family across merged districts annually that would help mitigate their sufferings.
He lauded successful launch of Sehat Insaf Card by previous PTI government in Khyber Pakhtu-nkhwa and said that several deserving people benefitted from it.
He reiterated resolve of his government to carry out development projects in the tribal districts on priority basis to remove sense of deprivation among them.