Forthcoming Budget will Reflect The Vision: Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore:Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that progress and prosperity of the masses is the pivot of the policies of provincial government and development resources have been utilized on the welfare and betterment of the common man during the last four years due to which the living standard of the people has improved and there is a growing realization that instead of wastage on the elite, government funds are being spent on removing deprivations and problems of the masses. He said that the forthcoming budget will be reflective of the development vision of provincial government and special funds will be allocated for raising the standard of life of the common people. He said that the new budget will reinforce the development programme of Punjab government and better educational, health and employment opportunities will become available to the masses and a new era of progress and development will usher in.

 He expressed these views while addressing a meeting to fix priorities of Annual Development Programme of the next provincial budget at Chief Minister’s Secretariat. Senators belonging to Faisalabad Division, Members of National and Provincial Assembly, Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, Chairman Planning & Development, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Provincial Secretaries, Commissioner and District Coordination Officers, police officers and senior officers of other departments attended the meeting. Chairman Planning & Development Javed Aslam informed the meeting about various aspects of development programme of the next provincial budget. The Chief Minister said that credit goes to Punjab government for utilizing development resources transparently and judiciously during the last four years. He said that people have a right over development resources and provincial government is pursuing the policy of a balanced utilization of funds in all districts of the province for changing the destiny of the poor masses. He said that modern facilities have been provided to the masses in education, health, employment, transport, social welfare and other sectors. He expressed his satisfaction that modern recreational facilities have been provided to the people by setting up a modern park over 13 acres of land in Ghulam Muhammadabad, Faisalabad while the occupants of this land have been inhabited on alternative land and besides free houses, roads and schools have also been constructed for their benefit. He said that it is a shining example of public service and the efforts of concerned officers are commendable. He said that if government officers take part in public service and social welfare activities with the same spirit, the sorrows and despair of the people could be turned into joys and happiness.

                        The Chief Minister directed that such projects of public welfare be evolved in the budget which could provide maximum relief to the masses. He further said that under the project for ensuring easy access of the common man to education and health facilities, District Headquarters Hospital Toba Tek Singh has been upgraded while the project of trauma center has been included in the ADP. Similarly he said, besides the mega projects of water supply in Toba Tek Singh the sewerage system will also be modernized. The meeting was informed that the grain market and bus stand will be shifted from Toba Tek Singh by the end of the month and 50 Kanal land has been selected for this purpose. He said that Rescue-1122 service will be provided in Chiniot and substantial funds will be allocated for setting up the offices of various departments. He also issued instructions for conducting a comprehensive survey regarding the working of dialysis machines provided for the treatment of kidney patients in government hospitals of the province. He said that under the policy of Punjab government, ownership rights are being given to the dwellers of notified kachi abadis of Shorkot. He said that due to horticulture and landscaping in Faisalabad, people will enjoy beautiful scenes of greenery and flowers.

                        The Chief Minister informed the meeting that modern police stations will be set up in Faisalabad while three different sites have been identified for the provision of parking facilities in the trade and business areas of the city. He said that a technical training institute be established in Faisalabad so that highly trained workforce could be available to the mills and factories of the city which is “Manchester” of Pakistan. He further directed that stern action be taken against the elements involved in water theft so as to ensure availability of water at the tail ends. He expressed the hope that shelter will become available to the homeless people through Jinnah Abadi scheme. Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif stressed upon Assembly members to play their due role for the timely and transparent completion of development projects. He said that Pakistan can make progress by getting rid of corruption, however, it is necessary that instead of borrowing, austerity and honesty be promoted. The meeting also reviewed law and order situation Faisalabad Division. The meeting was informed that funds have been released for the construction of girls degree college in Satiyana Banla in Jaranwala while Faisalabad-Jaranwala Road is being improved with the cooperation of local industrialists.