A delegation of Lahore Bar Association calls on CM Punjab

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high-level meeting, here today. Federal Minister for Railways, Kh. Saad Rafique especially attended the meeting. The meeting discussed the arrangements regarding transportation of imported coal to coal power projects and agreed to further accelerate the process of transportation of imported coal through railway system to coal power projects.

Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that government is taking serious and speedy steps for overcoming energy crisis. He said that sites have also been selected for installing small coal power projects in Punjab. He said that low cost electricity will be generated through coal.

The Chief Minister said that government is endeavoring for generating electricity through cheap sources.  He said that coal-based power projects are being installed at Sahiwal, Rahim Yar Khan and Muzaffargarh for which a system is being evolved for transportation of imported coal and Railways Department is playing an important role in this regard.

Federal Minister for Railways Kh. Saad Rafiq told the meeting that Railway Freight Transport Company has been constituted and Railway Department will ensure steps regarding transportation of imported coal to coal power plants according to the vision of Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif.

Secretary & Chairperson Railways Parveen Agha, Chairman Planning & Development, Additional Chief Secretary Energy, Secretary Minerals and senior officials of Railway attended the meeting.

Meanwhile,a delegation of Lahore Bar Association led by its President Ch. Ishtiaq Ahmed met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, here today. Members of Lahore Bar Association criticized negative politics and announced disassociation with the protest of December 15.The delegation thanked the Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif for assuring redressal of the problems of Lahore Bar Association.

Talking to the delegation of Lahore Bar Association, the Chief Minister said that the role of lawyers’ community for the provision of speedy justice to the people is of great importance. He said that the lawyers’ community will have to play its more active role for the redressal of grievances of the people at police stations and courts. He said there is a need that bar associations should come forward to play positive role for the provision of speedy justice. Shahbaz Sharif said that Punjab government is taking steps for the welfare of the lawyers’ community. He said that lawyers’ community has played a significant role in the restoration of independent judiciary. He said that effective steps have been taken for ensuring merit and transparency at every level in the province. The Chief Minister said that Land Record Management Information System is of great importance for ensuring transparency. He said that the project costing Rs. 14 billion will be completed speedily. He said that Pakistan cannot afford any kind of negative politics. He said that protest politics has caused huge loss to the national economy. Shahbaz Sharif assured that the problems of the lawyers’ community will be resolved on priority basis.

Speaking on the occasion, President Lahore Bar Association Ch. Ishtiaq Ahmed said that lawyers’ community considers negative politics as harmful for the country and has discouraged sit-in politics at every forum. He said that Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif is taking unprecedented steps for the people of the province which are appreciated at every level. He said that Shahbaz Sharif has always taken lead in public welfare projects.

Ch. Ishtiaq Ahmed said that the role of Shahbaz Sharif for supremacy of law and constitution and stability of democracy is commendable. He said that Lahore Bar Association fully supports the steps of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and is standing with him.  Those who met the Chief Minister included Vice Presidents Labaib Zafar Bajwa, Sahir Abbas Awan, Secretary General Ch. Salim Lodhi, Qaseem Aslam Hinjra, Tehseen Zuhra Kazmi and other office-bearers. Provincial Ministers Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman, Rana Mashhood Ahmed and senior officials were also present on the occasion.