CM chairs Punjab Cabinet last meeting

Lahore: The meeting of Punjab cabinet was held under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif at Chief Minister’s Secretariat today. Senior Advisor Senator Sirdar Zulfiqar Ali Kahn Khosa, Provincial Ministers, Advisors, Special Assistants, Chief Secretary and concerned officials attended the meeting. Badami Bagh incident was strongly condemned in the cabinet meeting and sympathies were expressed with Christian community. The meeting reviewed the provision of financial assistance to the affectees and rehabilitation work and decided that the rehabilitation work of affectees will be completed at the earliest whereas the accused involved in this incident will be taken to task at all costs.

Punjab cabinet has decided unanimously that the advice with regard to setting up of additional benches of Lahore High Court in Faisalabad, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Gujranwala and DG Khan will be sent to Governor Punjab for providing cheap and prompt justice to the people at their doorstep. Governor Punjab in the light of the advice of the Punjab government, will consult Chief Justice Lahore High Court for the establishment of additional benches. Punjab cabinet also gave approval to Freedom of Information Act 2012 besides approving Women Protection Policy guidelines for eradication of house violence. The meeting also gave approval to the Punjab Arms Amendment Bill 2012 and Punjab Explosive Amendment Bill 2012. The meeting gave approval to setting up of provincial council for the workers working at houses whereas it was decided that approval will have to be sought from Punjab cabinet before giving government land on lease for any purpose and it would be ensured that the government land taken on lease for charity purpose, should be used for this purpose. The meeting decided that in case of misuse of leased land, the lease will be cancelled. Punjab cabinet decided that the use of leased land given during last ten years will be reviewed and the lease of those persons who will not use the land for three or four years, will be cancelled whereas the method of open auction will be adopted for making the process of giving government land on lease transparent. The meeting decided that the government land will not be given on lease for CNG stations and petrol pumps in future and on completion of thirty years lease period, the lease will not be extended. Punjab cabinet approved five-point policy for making the process of lease transparent. The meeting gave approval to Nawaz Sharif University of Agricultural Act in Multan and also approved the annual report of Punjab Pension Fund.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that Punjab government has taken unprecedented steps for the promotion of transparency and merit as well as development and prosperity of the people. That is why today Punjab government is successful before the court of Almighty Allah and the people, he added. He said that the five years’ performance of the Punjab government is before the people and they are the best judge of our performance. He said that we can make mistakes as we are also human beings but on the completion of five years, we are satisfied that we have served the masses selflessly and it was due to the joint efforts and best team. He said that despite opposition and difficulties, Punjab government has carried out record development works for the uplift and betterment of the people. The Chief Minister said that merit and transparency has been promoted at every level and all out resources have been spent on the welfare of the people. No doubt, transparency is the hallmark of Punjab government, he added. Shahbaz Sharif said that national resources have been spent on the welfare of the masses considering it as a national trust. He said that work for improving the health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, livestock and other sectors has been carried out round the clock but despite this, there is still need of improvement in some sectors. He said that there is also need of further improving law and order situation and eliminating extremism, terrorism and sectarianism. The Chief Minister said that strict self-accountability system can take us forward and we will have to work hard for coming up to the expectations of the people and fulfilling their needs. The Chief Minister said that our real destination is still away and the journey is difficult but nothing is impossible. He said that Pakistan can be brought out of problems through commitment and determination. He expressed his belief that one day, we will materialize the dream of Quaid and Iqbal. The Chief Minister said that if feelings of anyone were hurt during last five years, he regrets it but he has enjoyed to work with everyone and we have delivered for the people of the province. That is why today India is seeking help from us in the field of solid waste management. He said that despite unfavourable conditions Punjab government brought investors from Turkey. The Chief Minister while appreciating the performance of cabinet members, political team, Chief Secretary, government officials and his staff, said that he is proud of having a hardwork, dutiful and honest team. Members of the cabinet also paid rich tributes to the performance and capabilities of Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif.