Punjab will be made a corruption-free province:Nominated Chief Minister

Lahore: Nominated Chief Minister and Khadim-e-Punjab, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that a comprehensive and effective strategy is being evolved with the consultation of intellectuals, journalists, teachers, retired government servants and all segments of the society for making Punjab a corruption-free province.

During meeting with various delegations here today, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that besides amendment in the existing anti-corruption laws it has also been decided to benefit from the measures taken against corruption by other countries of the region. He said that he considers corruption as a menace for the society and its elimination on war footing is essential. He said that violation of merit and delay in the public matters are two major causes of corruption.

Therefore, he said, it has been decided to ensure supremacy of merit and to take stern action against the officers and staff involved in red-tapism in government departments especially in Revenue, Police and Excise. He said that during the last five years, Punjab was the only province of the country where no case of corruption surfaced at the higher level and it has been decided to display the same spirit for eradicating malpractices and bribery at the lower level. He said that when he came into power, Punjab was at number one position regarding corruption according to Transparency International but according to report of the same institution for the year 2010, Punjab government was most transparent compared to the federal and provincial governments.

Later, talking to media, the nominated Chief Minister said that by voluntarily surrendering the chief minister-ship of Balochistan, Muslim League-N has written a new history of democracy and this decision has proved that Nawaz Sharif is a national leader in the real sense. He said that by murdering a politician like Akbar Bugti, the dictator who raised the slogan of Pakistan First, created a gulf between people of Balochistan and federation whereas Nawaz Sharif by handing over Balochistan government to another party, has shown the spirit of sacrifice and proved that Pakistan is his first priority.

He said that earlier PML-N government had also set an example of sacrifice by surrendering a huge amount of 11 billion rupees from its share under NFC Award for Balochistan. He said that had even a quarter of the funds given to Balochistan during the last ten years were spent on the development of the province, the situation in its cities and villages today would have been different. In reply to a question, Shahbaz Sharif said that besides other institutions, judiciary also played a commendable role in the success of democratic process in Pakistan and peaceful transfer of power.

Replying to a question, Shahbaz Sharif said that as Chief Minister he has never taken guard of honor and it will be a matter of pleasure for him if Chief Minister of some other province follows his example. He said he believes that students showing outstanding performance and martyrs of army and police are the ones who really deserve guard of honor.