Local Bodies elections would be held this year: Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that during last decades and period of dictatorship, loans worth billions of rupees were got written off on political basis. He said that safarish, corruption and plundering were rampant and a huge loss was caused to the country and the masses through looting billions of rupees of the nation.

He was addressing a ceremony here in Lahore.

He said that had these loans of 250 to 300 billion rupees not been got written off, the situation in the country would have been different. He said that up to 300 megawatts electricity could be generated from this hard earned money of the people while several educational institutions of a high standard could also be set up. He said that the aims of creation of Pakistan cannot be achieved nor development targets can be realized without a strict system of accountability.

The Chief Minister said that media is strong and free today and the freedom achieved by it is the result of a long struggle and efforts. He said that free media is an asset and it should be used for national development and prosperity. He said that local bodies elections will be held this year and he believes that local bodies system is of vital importance for devolution of powers to grass root level however there is a need for its complete implementation.

Shahbaz Sharif further said that local bodies system was introduced in the last dictatorial era and it remained operational for five years however unfortunately annual audit of funds was never conducted during this long period. He said that devolution of powers without a proper system of accountability results in only loot and plunder.

He said that an equitable and transparent system of use of powers is of vital importance. He said that an efficient system of accountability is essential for the progress of the country and prime minister, chief ministers, federal ministers, governors, judges, generals and bureaucrats should go through this process. He said that justice is being sold in police stations and Katcheries which has weakened the foundations of the country. He said that Punjab government will root out this culture.

Shahbaz Sharif said that universities and research centers should play an effective role for the promotion of process of research in agriculture, livestock, industries and other sectors. He said that Punjab Higher Education Commission has been set up for this purpose and now it will have to play an effective role for bridging the gulf between universities, research centers and social development sectors. He said that Punjab government has set up first Information Technology University of the country where young generation is being imparted latest technology.

He said that national banks also provide resources for the projects aimed at provision of facilities to the citizens. He said that small and medium scale investors should be provided resources as this segment of the society plays an important in national development and properity. He said that government is making serious efforts for overcoming energy crisis and problems like poverty, unemployment, ignorance and load-shedding will soon be removed. He said that there is a need to work hard and with commitment to achieve the goal of national progress and prosperity.