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Punjab Government seeks world Bank help to resolve energy crisis

CM PUNJAB (3)Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has called upon international monitory institutions and donor agencies to extend maximum cooperation in the solution of energy crisis, population control and development of health and other sectors. He said that international institutions should also provide assistance in preparing report about the causes of spread of measles and the measures for controlling this disease. He said that besides improvement of health facilities, a comprehensive programme would also be evolved for curbing diseases as well as adopting preventive measures.

The Chief Minister said that it would be difficult to achieve the targets of development if the rapidly increasing population was not controlled. He said that good governance and elimination of corruption are among the top priorities of the government and instead of construction of buildings, investment is being made in boy and girl students for promotion of education and the scope of vouchers scheme for students will be further expanded.

He was presiding over a meeting of representatives and experts of World Bank, DFID and other donor agencies at Punjab House Islamabad today.  Minister of State on Health Begum Saira Afzal Tarar, Member Provincial Assembly Rana Mashhood Ahmed, Chairman Planning & Development Sohail Ahmed, Secretary Finance, Tariq Bajwa, Secretary Health, Hassan Iqbal, Secretaries of School Education, Women Development and Excise & Taxation departments, Country Director World Bank, Rashid Bin Masood, DFID head in Pakistan, George Turkington, World Bank expert on Health Inam ul Haq and experts in finance, private sector and management were present.

Shahbaz Sharif said that after receiving a heavy mandate from the people, the government has decided to curtail its non-developmental expenditure by 30% and funds will be utilized in an effective manner on education, health, promotion of investment and employment opportunities. The Chief Minister said that immediately after taking the oath of his office, he convened a meeting on measles in which a strategy was evolved for curbing measles on war footing. He said that in addition to improving treatment facilities, a comprehensive programme would also be evolved for controlling diseases and preventive measures.

The Chief Minister directed Secretary Health to arrange a 2-day conference of experts for devising a comprehensive strategy for prevention and control of diseases and solid measures should be taken for this purpose. He stressed upon World Bank and donor agencies to extend cooperation for resolving energy crisis. Shahbaz Sharif said that besides hydle and thermal power, coal, windmill and other resources would also be utilized for generating energy in Punjab. He said that in addition to evolving a comprehensive system for utilizing resources for poverty alleviation, generation of employment opportunities and better utilization of existing resources in health and education, measures would also be taken for introducing structural changes for ensuring good governance and elimination of corruption.

The Chief Minister said that a rationalization commission has been set up in the province for improving performance of government departments, curtailing non-developmental expenditures and proper utilization of resources. He said that a solid policy will also be devised for rooting out corruption at every level in government departments and institutions. He said that for the promotion of education, an average amount of Rs. 1600/- is being provided for every student through Punjab Education Foundation. He said that steps would also be taken for controlling rapidly increasing population, substandard food and spurious medicines. He said that cooperation of World Bank and other international donor agencies would be welcomed in every sector.

Country Director World Bank Rashid Bin Masood, DFID head George Turkington and other experts during a briefing told that there is a large scope of investment, creation of jobs and development of education and health sector in Pakistan especially in Punjab and Punjab has better capacity to tackle problems compared to other provinces. He said that after the clear mandate of masses, the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif could take more effective steps for the elimination of corruption, investment, financing and creation of job opportunities.

DFID head in Pakistan George Turkington while appreciating the efforts and commitment of Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif for resolving problems said that the interest he had shown in the briefing and considered proposals for solution of problems had not been seen by him in his twenty one year’s career.

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