Pak Army and political institutions will have to strive collectively to counter terrorism: Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has announced an excellent package for the promotion of trade and economic activities which will benefit traders, industrialists and as well as those associated with agriculture sector besides increasing investment and accelerating economic activities.

He was talking to media on the occasion of dispatch of relief items through trucks for the earthquake affected people of Balochistan under winter package, here today. Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Sher Ali Gorchani, Member National Assembly Pervaiz Malik, Provincial Ministers Rana Sanaullah Khan, Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman, Hameeda Waheed ud Din, Muhammad Shafique, Assembly Members, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Director General Provincial Disaster Management Authority and other senior officials were also present.

He said that he believes that Prime Minister has made appointment to the posts of Army Chief and Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee in accordance with the constitution and law and it is expected that all institutions of the country will work for national reconstruction. He said that Pak Army political institutions and all stakeholders will have to strive collectively to counter terrorism and work for economic strength and stability of the country.

He said that there is a need for tireless efforts and to display a spirit of sacrifice. He said that collective efforts for national development and prosperity would prove fruitful. Shahbaz Sharif said that every decision of the government will be in the interest of the country and nation.

Responding to a question about the prices of essential items, the Chief Minister said that concerned departments are making coordinated efforts for stabilizing prices of necessary items and their efforts are yielding positive results. He said that the flaws in the system are being removed and an effective mechanism has been adopted to control prices.

He said that though commissioners and district coordination officers are responsible for stability of prices but the cooperation of police has also been sought for the purpose so that hoarders and profiteers exploiting the masses could be brought to justice. He said that a programme has been evolved to give targeted subsidy to the families living below the poverty-line. He said that a monthly subsidy of one thousand rupees would be given to 30 lakh poorest of the poor families of the province from January next year.