CM reviews wheat procurement campaign through video link

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that government has taken a number of welfare measures for improving the living standard of deprived segments of the society and this process will continue in future as well. He said that various welfare programmes are continuing successfully in Punjab for providing relief to the downtrodden people and a large number of deprived persons are benefitting. He said that public welfare programmes like metro bus, educational fund, Daanish schools, Ayeshana and self-employment scheme have been evolved for low-income families. He said that provincial government has set up Punjab Social Protection Authority for bringing all social programmes under one-roof.

He expressed these views while addressing a high level meeting at Civil Secretariat through video link, here today. The meeting reviewed in detail wheat procurement campaign and proposed steps for enhancing the living standard of the poorest families. Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that service to the masses is the mission of PML-N government and this mission will be forwarded like a movement during next three years. He said that our every step is moving towards welfare of the deprived segments of the society. He said that billions of rupees are being spent for bringing the poor and downtrodden people into the national mainstream.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab government has taken concrete measures for protecting the interests of the farmers. He said that 40 lakh tons wheat procurement target has been fixed and wheat is being procured from small farmers on priority basis. He said that all possible facilities are being provided to the farmers at procurement centers. Shahbaz Sharif said that he is personally monitoring wheat procurement campaign and due returns to the farmers are being ensured. He warned that no middleman will be allowed to exploit the farmers.

Provincial Ministers Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, Mian Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman, Bilal Yasin, Muhammad Shafiq, Haroon Sultan, Advisor Kh. Salman Rafique, MPA Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Additional Chief Secretary and concerned secretaries attended the meeting at Civil Secretariat through video link whereas Advisor Dr. Ijaz Nabi, Chairman Punjab Information Technology Board Dr. Umer Saif besides other concerned authorities attended the meeting at Model Town.