LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that pivot of the politics of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is the welfare of common man, adding that today Pakistan is economically stronger as compared to 2013. He said under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the journey of peace and illumination is continuing with the determination to put Pakistan on the road to progress and prosperity. He said that the politics of compromising national interests over personal interests has caused a huge loss to the country, adding that the PML-N government is forwarding the programme of development of the country as a mission and has launched programmes worth billions of rupees for public welfare. He said that those criticising unduly on public welfare projects are the enemies of the prosperity of common man. “PML-N has always upheld decent political values and this is the way if we are to move Pakistan ahead,” he added. Talking to a delegation of PML-N on Thursday, the chief minister said that majority of the population of the country belonged to rural areas and PML-N government considers progress and prosperity of the people of rural populace as its mission. He said that a big programme “Pakiyan Sarkan—Saukhay Panday” has been started for prosperity of the rural population, which is a milestone in strengthening rural economy. He said that such a big project of construction and rehabilitation of roads has never been started and this project of Rs 150 billion would change the destiny of rural people. The CM said that construction and rehabilitation work of roads at a cost of billions of rupees has been completed. “Look after and protection of these roads is our national obligation, which will be ensured at any cost. Under this programme, high quality carpeted roads are being constructed and a network of hundreds of kilometres would be laid across the province by 2017-18. The programme will bring message of prosperity for strengthening rural economy and the distance between villages and cities will be reduced through its implementation,” he added. Referring to the steps taken for the uplift of agri sector and prosperity of farmers, the chief minister said that prosperity of farmers is priority of PML-N government, adding that a historic package of Rs 100 billion would be given in next two years in this regard. He said that every penny of agri package would be spent on the welfare of cultivators and all out steps would be taken for providing relief to the farmers and every measure would be made for saving them from international recession. Shahbaz said that no compromise would be made on protection of rights of small farmers, which is the basic aim of the package. “Pakistan will become prosperous through the prosperity of farmers. This package will leave a positive impact on the promotion of agriculture and uplift of farmers,” the chief minister added.