LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that more than 60 percent population of Pakistan consists of the youth, which are a symbol of Pakistan’s bright future. In his message on International Youth Day, the chief minister said that the Punjab government had taken revolutionary steps for youth empowerment. He called for evolving youth-oriented policies to harness its potential. He said that the talented youth of Pakistan had proved its mettle in every field and the government was giving special attention to improve their skills. Serious efforts are being made to resolve issues confronting the youth, he said, adding that educational stipends had been given to thousands of low-income families. “Similarly, soft loans worth billions of rupees have been distributed among the jobless youth to economically empower them and a project of financial support had also been started to empower skilled youth. “We should reiterate our commitment that an effective policy would be evolved to enhance the abilities of the youth in accordance with the needs of the modern times. Separately, the chief minister Friday said that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif received a historic welcome from people in Rawalpindi and Jhelum districts. “The love of Pakistani people is Nawaz Sharif’s only asset. His heart beats with hearts of Pakistani people. His historic reception is a proof that Nawaz Sharif is the most popular leader in Pakistan,” he said. “The people have reposed their confidence in the policies of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Due to the wonderful policies of Nawaz Sharif, the country is fast moving towards prosperity and development,” he said. He added, “National development and public welfare are our prime targets, while the claimants of so-called have wasted their time on roads during the last four years. He said the credit of setting up energy projects for elimination of load shedding went to the PML-N. Recounting some of the achievements of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s government, the chief minister said, “The revival of sagging economy is the golden achievement of Nawaz Sharif and economic policies of his four-year tenure have helped give sound footing to the national economy.” He criticised his political opponents for what he believed was responsible for obstructing pace of development process in Pakistan. Such elements were rejected by the masses in the previous elections and the nation would again reject them in the upcoming election, he hoped. Meanwhile, the chief minister expressed deep grief over the death of mother of provincial minister Malik Nadeem Kamran and extended his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family. Published in Daily Times, August 12th 2017.