Punjab government achieves another milestone by distributing 50 thousand vehicles on merit

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that provincial government has achieved another milestone by distributing 50 thousand vehicles on merit and transparency among unemployed youth under Self-Employment Scheme worth 31 billion rupees.

He was addressing a ceremony at the conclusion of distribution of 50 thousand vehicles among unemployed youth under Self-Employment Scheme at Chief Minister’s Secretariat, here today.

Provincial Minister for Finance Dr. Ayesha Ghous Pasha, Member Provincial Assembly Sheikh Alauddin, Parliamentary Secretary on Transport Nawaz Chauhan, MPA, Managing Director Pak-Suzuki Motor Company, Chief Secretary, recipients of the vehicles, columnists and intellectuals attended the ceremony.

He said that this scheme has provided livelihood to three lakh persons. He said that recovery rate on vehicles is about hundred percent. He said that while those great Pakistanis who earn their living through hard work and honesty repay their loans but those who have assets of billions of rupees, offshore companies, palaces and factories get their loans waived off. He said that it is a grave injustice to the nation.

Shahbaz Sharif said that such elements will have to be brought to justice and accountability as have indulged in loot, corruption and waiving of loans worth billions of rupees and brought the country to the verge of bankruptcy for making them an example for the future generations.

The Chief Minister said that like Self-Employment Scheme, Punjab government has also implemented several projects successfully for the welfare of the masses. He said that under Punjab Educational Endowment Fund, more than 1.5 lakh boy and girl students, facing financial problems, will be getting education in local and foreign educational institutions till June. He said that it is a revolutionary step of Punjab government to help children of poor families to become doctors, engineers and teachers.

The Chief Minister further said that culture of merit and transparency has been promoted in Punjab and credit for this goes to Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League-N government. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, work is being carried out on public welfare projects in the country and Punjab round the clock.

He said that being humans, there can be mistakes, however, every penny of public money is being spent honestly on welfare of the masses. He said that some sections of media and politicians are giving wrong information about Orange Line Metro Train project and one politician has made allegations of misappropriation of billions of rupees in this public welfare project. He said that if that politician has any evidence he should go to the court and prove the charges.

Shahbaz Sharif said that allegations and lies cannot make the nation strong. He said that is the responsibility of leaders to tell the truth instead of misguiding the masses. He said that the politician making allegation of expenditure of 43 crore rupees on a house in Murree should have fear of the God and stop telling lies as he has just returned from Ummrah.

He said that this amount is not being spent on any private residence but on Governor House. He said that it is the time for unity and to serve the country. He said that media has the right to criticize but it should also appreciate good work. He said that corruption and plunder should be brought to the notice but public welfare work should be appreciated for promoting awareness in the people.

Shahbaz Sharif lauded the performance of the institutions which recovered crore of rupees from the house of the secretary of a province. He said that corruption should be curbed but baseless allegations promote misunderstandings and confusion. He said that it is responsibility of print and electronic media to bring out the facts. He said that present government has saved 215 billion rupees in development projects. He said that he is ready to face accountability if any political leader, journalist, analyst, judge or police officer proves him wrong.

He said that there has been no period in the 69 years’ history of the country when billions of rupees were saved. He said that saving of 215 billion rupees in development projects is an achievement of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, PML-N government and the whole nation. He said that for the purpose of progress of the country, welfare programmes should be continued for the betterment of the deprived segments of the society. He said that the time wasted should be made up for changing the destiny of the country.

Sheik Alauddin MPA said that Self-Employment Scheme is a big step toward serving the people.

He said that due to the vision and hard work of Shahbaz Sharif, three lakhs persons have been given direct employment. He said that one lakh 51 thousand people applied under this scheme. He said that 10 percent higher quota was allocated for south Punjab under the scheme and it was fully implemented. He said that it is a result of the efforts of the team, 50 thousands vehicles are plying on roads. He said that Pak Suzuki Company has given a gift of motorcycles worth two crore rupees to Punjab government on the completion of the scheme.

President Bank of Punjab Naeem ud Din Khan said that service to the people is the vision of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and it is reflected in this scheme. He said that in the first phase, 20 thousand yellow cabs were given to unemployed youth and the recovery rate is 99.99 percent. He said that recovery rate of green cabs is 100 percent.

Managing Director Pak Suzuki Company said that Punjab government and Bank of Punjab have taken a big step by launching Self-Employment Scheme for the jobless youth and the company is to proud to work with Punjab government. He also assured full cooperation to Punjab government for such schemes in future as well.