Shahbaz Sharif visits flood hit areas of South Punjab

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that General Musharraf and Pervaiz Elahi did not allow work on dams during their tenure, however, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, after coming into power, has started work on the projects of Bhasha and Dasu dams.

He said that billions of rupees have been allocated for the construction of both these dams and work has been started on the projects of these two big dams.

He expressed these views while addressing the people during his visit to various flood-hit areas of South Punjab, today. He said that the nations make progress through practical work and not political statements. He said flood affectees are fully aware that who was standing with them during 2010, 2014 and now in 2015 floods and who is trying to do politics on the miseries of the people.

The Chief Minister had to visit flood hit areas of district Layyah and other places of south Punjab, today, however, his helicopter could not land at Layyah due to inclement weather and programme was changed. While going back to Multan, helicopter of the Chief Minister made emergent landing at Basti Wandan Mohlan.

Upon seeing the Chief Minister, a large number of people gathered, expressed their joy and raised slogan of “Shahbaz Sharif Zindabad, aur Sher Aya”.

The Chief Minister visited various localities. Later, he reached Multan and paid a surprise visit to metro bus project. Replying to a question of media on the occasion, Shahbaz Sharif said there is only one lesson in the decision of Judicial Commission that we all should end the politics of lie, wrong statements and allegations and work together for the progress of country and the nation. He said that those people who wasted precious time of the nation in the garb of sit-ins should now think for the country.

The Chief Minister said the entire nation knows that the sit-ins created hindrance in public welfare projects and caused huge loss to the national economy. He said that the Judicial Commission has given a historic decision with regard to allegations of rigging.

Replying to another question, Shahbaz Sharif said that he is personally monitoring the rescue and relief operation in flood hit areas of South Punjab.

The Chief Minister said that he is reaching flood hit areas for personally reviewing the ground realities. He said that the entire administrative machinery is taking part in rescue and relief operation. He said that Pak army, district administration and police are engaged in helping the flood affectees. He said that he will live and die with the people.

Shahbaz Sharif said that he had not left the flood affectees alone in 2010 and 2014 and is also standing with them now. He said that flood affectees will be compensated and he will continue visiting his brothers and sisters till the water enters into sea.

The Chief Minister said that he was visiting flood hit areas of South Punjab and reached some places but due to bad weather, he could not go to Layyah and other places. He tried to visit flood hit areas of Rahim Yar Khan and Dera Ghazi Khan but due to inclement weather, he has to stop at Multan, due to which he paid a surprise visit to Multan Metro Bus Project and reviewed the progress on the project. No doubt, Multan Metro Bus Project is a gift for the people of South Punjab, he added.

Shahbaz Sharif said that people know the standard of the construction of the projects of rulers of Punjab during dictatorial era and the standard of construction of public projects during PML-N era. He said that the construction projects of PML-N tenure are the masterpiece of high quality.

He said that Multan Metro Bus Project will be completed within the stipulated period.

The Chief Minister said that after completion of this project, lakhs of poor people particularly male and female students will reach their destination on time by benefiting from modern, economical, comfortable and speedy transport and metro buses will resolve their longstanding problem.

Earlier, Chief Minister left Lahore for visiting flood-hit areas of south Punjab. He is personally monitoring relief activities.