AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Lahore, March 16, 2016 (PPI-OT):Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, the situation in Pakistan has improved considerably during two and a half years and economic indicators are encouraging. He said that Pakistan is the only country of SAARC, the categorization of which regarding transparency has improved. He said that Transparency International Berlin has declared transparency rating of Pakistan as better.
He said that Pakistani society is based on tolerance and patience and every citizen has equal rights without discrimination of caste, colour and creed under the constitution. The Chief Minister said that Punjab government is pursuing revolutionary steps for improving education, health and other sectors.
He said that the performance of government departments is being improved through use of modern technology. He said that Punjab is the first province where the project of computerization of rural land record has been completed. He said that due to computerization of land record, corruption, fraud and forgery will decrease.
He expressed these views while talking to a delegation of male and female students of a prestigious American educational institution Harvard Kennedy School who are currently visiting Pakistan and called on him under the leadership of MD Pakistan Credit Rating Agency (PACRA) Qazi Adnan Afaq, here today.
Talking to the delegation, Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan was created due to numerous sacrifices under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He said that Quaid-e-Azam was a visionary leader and his teachings are beacon light for us. He said that there is a need of following the teachings of Quaid-e-Azam. He said that there was no room for extremism in Pakistan of Quaid. The Chief Minister said that Pakistan is determined to cope with the challenges being confronted by it.
He said that elimination of terrorism and extremism is a big challenge, however, the entire nation has united for eliminating this menace. He said that political and military leadership is marching forward with determination for completely rooting out the scourge of terrorism. He said that a decisive war is being fought against the brutal beasts playing with the lives of innocent people.
He said that Pakistan cannot march forward without elimination of terrorism. Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan has sacrificed more than 50 thousand precious lives in the war against terrorism. He said that the punishment has been made deterrent through necessary legislation for elimination of extremism, terrorism and sectarianism in Punjab. Referring to the development projects in Punjab, the Chief Minister said that metro bus system has been introduced for modernizing transport system.
He said that after the success in Lahore and Rawalpindi and Islamabad, metro bus system will soon be launched in Multan, a big city of South Punjab. He said that work is continuing speedily on metro train of international standard in Lahore. He said that recruitments have been made on merit in police, education and other departments.
Shahbaz Sharif said that he never tolerated safarish, nepotism and corruption. Expressing his views about the steps taken for the promotion of education, the Chief Minister said that scholarships of billions of rupees are being given to the deserving but talented male and female students through Punjab Educational Endowment Fund and more than one lakh boy and girl students have benefited from this educational fund.
He said that Daanish schools are becoming helpful in eliminating trends of extremism. He said that Punjab government has provided modern education to the children of poorest family through Daanish schools set up in backward areas of the province. Shahbaz Sharif said that more than four lakh laptops have been distributed among talented male and female students. He said that special attention is being paid to skill development for empowering youth.
The Chief Minister said that he considers politics as a kind of worship and source of service to the masses. He said that distribution of resources to the provinces have been made under NFC Award. He said that despite all out efforts, dictator Musharraf could not create consensus on NFC Award. However, Punjab government gave 11 billion rupees annually to its Balochi brethren from its share for achieving NFC Award which is a spirit of sacrifice of Punjab government.
Shahbaz Sharif said that three women have been given representation in Punjab Cabinet. He stressed the need of highlighting soft image of Pakistan and effective steps are being taken in this regard. Provincial Minister for Education Rana Mashhood, Advisor Dr. Ijaz Nabi, Chairman Planning and Development, Chairman Punjab Higher Education Commission and senior officials were also present on the occasion.
For more information, contact:
Chief Minister of Punjab
Chief Minister Secretariat
7-Club Road
GOR-I, Lahore
Tel: +92-42-99204906-14, +92-42-99203222-3
Fax: +92-42-99204915, +92-42-99203224
Website: www.cm.punjab.gov.pk