Hamza Shahbaz leads fund raising campaign

Lahore: Central leader of PML-N Hamza Shahbaz Sharif MNA has said that the sacrifices of IDPs have paved the way for the success of operation Zarb-e-Azab. He said that it is the responsibility of every Pakistani to help IDPs of North Waziristan who left their homes for making the future of our children safe. Those, fond of taking out long march and bringing revolution, should do their job but we will move ahead for the prosperity of Pakistan through war against terrorism and elimination of load-shedding, he added. He said that people of Pakistan are conscious and they will recognize, who is their well wisher.

He expressed these views while addressing a function regarding fund raising for IDPs at Alhamra Hall today. Provincial Minister for Education Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, MPAs, heads of public and private sector educational institutions, Secretary Higher Education Department, Abdullah Khan Sumbal, Additional Secretary Schools Education Department Ahmad Ali Kamboh and other senior officers of department were present on the occasion.

On this occasion, the Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan presented a cheque for Rs.11 crore for Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for IDPs on behalf of educational institutions of Punjab. He said that the IDPs have sacrificed for setting up of lasting peace in the country. He said that people of Pakistan will not forget this sacrifice and expressed the hope that peace will prevail in Pakistan.

Criticizing some political elements, he said that instead of expressing solidarity with Pak Army and extending help to IDPs, they are indulging in long march and revolution march. He said that they should keep the morale of Pak-Army jawans high who are saving our future by rendering sacrifices.

Talking to media-men, Hamza Shahbaz said that as a Muslim we should feel the miseries of these displaced families and their children who are supporting us in the war for survival of the country. He said that we should not forget those martyrs who sacrificed their lives for motherland. He said that opponents should do long march on August 14 whereas Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of metro bus project in Multan on the same day.

Hamza Shahbaz further said that country will progress only through hard work and honesty and not through slogans. He asked those indulging in long march whether they want to launch protest march against the development of the country. He said that PML-N government started development projects costing billions of rupees but there is no allegation of corruption of even a single penny against us. He said that when people were facing flood in Pakistan, Tahir-ul-Qadri was enjoying life in Canada. He said that those elements who had committed dacoity of 70 billion rupees in Punjab Bank now talk about corruption by sitting beside Maulana Inqilabi but they should feel ashamed of it.

 Chairman Punjab Textbook Board Nawazish Ali Cheema presented cheques for Rs. 3 crore for IDPs on behalf of his institution. Dr. Nasrullah Virk presented cheque for Rs. 1.17 crore on behalf of all educational boards, Additional Secretary Schools Ahmed Ali Kamboh Rs. 2.04 crore on behalf of teachers and students of government schools, Secretary Higher Education Abdullah Khan Sumbal Rs. 2.53 crore on behalf of Universities and government colleges, Sohail Afzal Rs. 30 lakh on behalf of Punjab Group of College, Rs. five lakh by Moon Schools, Rs. two lakh by American Licytif whereas Rs. 5.10 lakh by Queen Merry College.

Rana Mashhood said that initially Rs. 11 crore has been collected by IDPs but this process will continue. He disclosed that President All Pakistan Private School Federation Mirza Kashif Ali has promised to give a donation of Rs. 2 crore on behalf of his federation.