Punjab is facing worest loadshedding:CM Punjab

Lahore:Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan particularly Punjab is facing worst loadshedding of the history. He said that 18 crore people of the country particularly 9.5 crore people of Punjab are facing poverty, unemployment and unrest due to electricity crisis. He said that people have lost patience and now they cannot be put through any other test. He said that the protest, anger and reaction against worst loadshedding in the Punjab is but natural. The Chief Minister said that he is fully standing with the people of Pakistan facing deprivations, agonies and loadshedding. He said that he has set up his protest camp at Minar-e-Pakistan for expressing solidarity with the people. He said that the protest will continue till the implementation of decisions of energy conference and ending discriminatory attitude being meted out to Punjab regarding loadshedding. Shahbaz Sharif said that raising voice over the problems is right of the people but he earnestly appealed to them that they should avoid causing loss to the public and private properties during protest.

Talking to media-men in Punjab Assembly, here today, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that unfortunately some people have lost their lives during protest in Punjab for which he is deeply shocked and equally shares the grief of the bereaved families. He strongly appealed to the masses not to make their protest violent as the external elements and extremists can benefit from this situation. He said that the leadership of PML-N is with the people and it will not rest content till the provision of their right. The Chief Minister said that private and public properties are assets of the nation, therefore, they should not be damaged during protest. He said that we will have to utilize these properties after getting rid of Ail Baba and Forty Thieves. Shahbaz Sharif warned if the step-motherly treatment being meted out to the people of Punjab was not stopped, then he will go to last extent for the right of the people and will rid the country and the nation of thieves and looters. He pointed out that he participates in the protest with the masses at the risk of his life but protest will continue till the looters are forced to flee. Replying to a question, Shahbaz Sharif said that a policy would be evolved with consultation for compensating the loss caused to the properties during protests. To another question, he said that federal government has created hindrances in the energy generating projects. He said had the projects of Nandipur and Chichoki Malian were not delayed due to kickbacks and corruption, 950 MW electricity would have been generated today. Replying to another question, the Chief Minister said if the electricity can be brought from China or Iran, it should not be delayed anymore.

Earlier, Members Provincial Assembly belonging to various districts also met the Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif in assembly chamber and later he also participated in the session.