Shahbaz Sharif gives ceremonial appearance to PML-N office bearers

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that funds are a trust of the nation and the Pakistan Muslim League-N government is utilizing national resources only on the welfare and betterment of the masses.

He was talking to PML-N office bearers who met him, here today.

He said that billions of rupees have been saved in the province by holding successful negotiations with the companies that made lowest bids for various projects and there is no such example in the history of the country.

The Chief Minister said that Muslim League N government has served the people selflessly during the last seven years and effective measures are being taken under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to cope with the challenges being faced by the country. He said that transparency, standard and speed in the execution of development projects is the hallmark of PML-N government which is completely free from corruption.

Shahbaz Sharif said that a huge loss to the national economy was caused due to sit-ins and protests staged last year and a delay was caused in the implementation of energy, infrastructure and other projects which were to be executed with the cooperation of China and, therefore, the process of progress and prosperity of the country was disrupted. He said that elements which wasted the precious time of the country pay no attention to the national interest or the welfare of the common man.

The Chief Minister said that due to sit-ins, the problems of the masses were increased and those who were involved in negative activities proved the enmity with the country. However, he said that PML-N government has restarted the process of national development and moving forward with new spirit and determination.

Referring to the historic economic package of 46 billion dollars given during recent visit of Chinese President to Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif said that China has proved to be a true friend of Pakistan by announcing this package. He said that this economic package of 46 billion dollars is not for any one unit of the country but is a precious gift for 18 crore Pakistanis and will result in promotion of national unity, brotherhood and harmony. He said that 17 years ago, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had made Pakistan a nuclear power and now credit for strengthening its economy is also going to the Prime Minister.

He said that no stone will be left unturned for the implementation of the agreements and the projects assigned during the visit of Chinese President. He said that Pakistan will be made an Islamic welfare state in the real sense in accordance with the vision of founders of the country.

The Chief Minister said that a new journey of progress and prosperity has started with the cooperation of China and work will be carried out on war footings for the timely completion of the development projects. Referring to 100 hundred megawatt solar project at Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Bahawalapur, the Chief Minister said that various projects have been set up by Punjab government with its own resources.

He said that it is the first and biggest solar project of Pakistan and it is the only project in the world history which has been completed at such a speed and is generating electricity. Referring to the projects of development of Punjab and provision of facilities to the masses, Shahbaz Sharif said that a culture of merit and transparency and speedy completion of uplift projects has been promoted in the province. He said that billions of rupees are being spent on the welfare of the masses and provision of education, health and other basic facilities to the citizens in the province.

He said that availability of potable water will be ensured in all tehsils of the province under Saaf Pani Project. He said that the goal of progress and prosperity will be achieved by adopting glorious principles of honesty, hard work and commitment and no effort will be spared for providing relief to the citizens. The Chief Minister expressed the hope that sincere efforts to steer the country out of quagmire of problems will be successful. He further said that 50 thousand vehicles are being distributed among unemployed youth under Apna Rozgar Scheme on merit basis and the quota of the districts of south Punjab has been increased under the scheme. He said that this project worth billions of rupees is an example of transparency and merit.

He further said that a huge sum of 15 billion rupees is being spent during the current financial year for the construction and rehabilitation of the roads of rural areas under Khadim Punjab Rural Roads Programme while funds of billions of rupees will be provided for this project in the next fiscal year.

Shahbaz Sharif said that construction of rehabilitation of all rural roads of Punjab will be completed by 2018. He said that every child has equal right of quality education and Punjab government is ensuring this right by setting up Daanish schools in the most backward districts of the province where quality educational facilities are available to the children of the poorest of the poor families. He said that Daanish school system is running successfully for the last five years and poor children are being provided educational as well as boarding and lodging facilities free of cost in these educations.

Referring to the steps taken for uplift of education sector, the Chief Minister said that Punjab government has set up Punjab Endowment Fund with a sum of Rs.12 billion first time in the history of the country and more than 85 thousand poor but talented boy and girl students are studying at local and foreign educational intuitions with the help of this fund. He said that students of all units of Pakistan have been included in this programme. He said that 16 lakh boy and girl students are studying under voucher scheme of Punjab Education Foundation. He said that more than one lakh teachers have been recruited on the basis of merit.

He said that culture of corruption, bribe, safarish and irregularities have been buried and all recruitments are being made in the province purely on the basis of merit and eligibility. Shahbaz Sharif said that laptops have been given to lakhs of male and female students on merit basis and IT labs have been set up in all schools of the province. He said that Punjab Skill Development Programme is also continuing successfully with the cooperation of DFID under which youth are being imparted various skills.