Imran Khan to accept Salman Shahbaz challenge of debate:Spokesman Punjab government

Lahore: Member Punjab Assembly & Spokesman Punjab government Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri has said that Imran Khan’s  allegations against Sharif family regarding business in Jhang are baseless and misleading as Sharif family has no business of any kind in Jhang. He asked Imran Khan to accept Salman Shahbaz challenge of debate. He said that construction of a bridge of river Chenab will benefit lakhs of people of Bhawana and the adjoining tehsils. He said that bridges are not constructed at the desire of anyone but complete study is conducted in the light of which approval is given of mega projects. He said that breach in Athara Hazari Bund was not made to save a land of any influential person but to protect Jhang City. He said that breach is made at the point selected for this purpose in accordance with the laid down procedures in Barrage Regulation Book of 1935.

He was addressing a press conference at Chief Minister’s Office here today. Secretary Irrigation Saif Anjum, Chief Engineer Irrigation, Chief Engineer Highways and SE Highways were also present on the occasion. Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri said that Sharif family has no business at Jhang and Imran Khan is only misleading the people through such allegations. He asked Imran Khan to accept the challenge of Shahbaz Sharif for a debate. But, he said, Imran Khan will not accept this challenge as it will expose his lies. He further said that construction of the bridge  at Bhawana on river Chenab is not benefit any influential person but to facilitate poor farmers of Bhawana and lakhs of people of the area. He said that a complete study had been conducted before the construction of the bridge and its contract was awarded to NLC. He said that the project which was started on March 22 was to be completed on October 2 but it has been delayed due to flood. He said that with the construction of bridge, people of Bhawana will reach their destination only after covering the distance of 14 kilometers instead of 116 kilometers. He said that four thousand one hundred vehicles will pass from this bridge.

Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri said that Athara Hazari bridge was breached after the unanimous decision of the Breach Committee in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Barrage Regulation Book of 1935. He said that committee comprising XEN Irrigation, DCO and an Army Officer of the rank of Brigadier in engineering core announces the decision. He said that the decision to breach the dyke is made when the water level reaches a red line at 500 feet.

Zaeem Hussain Qadri said that Imran Khan has broken world record for lying during the last 33 days and has misguided the nation regarding construction of the bridge. He said that there is strong resentment in Bhawana and nearby tehsils against Imran Khan. He said that Imran Khan has been telling lies to the people during the last 33 days and that is why they have rejected his illegal sit-in.