LAHORE: Punjab Chief minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that lockdown of Islamabad is a conspiracy to stop the journey of progress of the country and prosperity of the people, adding that conscious people would not allow anyone to create hurdles in the journey of prosperous Pakistan. Talking to Gilgit Baltistan Chief Minister Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman on Thursday, he said that earlier, some elements failed to mislead the people for their personal interests and they would meet the same fate in future as well. He said that these elements have been defeated in local bodies elections of Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and bye-elections after general elections, adding that sit-in politics damaged the country’s economy in 2014. The Gilgit Baltistan CM congratulated the Punjab CM on his unopposed election as Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (Punjab) president. He commended the abilities of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on completing public welfare projects in a record period and said that public service of Shahbaz Sharif is unprecedented. He thanked Shahbaz Sharif on cooperation by Punjab government in education, health, technical training and other social sectors. He also thanked the chief minister on provision of medicines and said that Punjab government has always supported people of Gilgit Baltistan. He said that provision of special quota and scholarships for students of Gilgit Baltistan in educational institutions and medical colleges of Punjab is highly valuable. The Punjab chief minister said that people of Gilgit Baltistan are our brothers and sisters and Punjab government would continue its cooperation in education, health and other sectors. He said that special quota has been fixed for students of Gilgit Baltistan in educational institutions and medical colleges of Punjab and special scholarships are being given to them for higher education. “Punjab government will provide CT Scan machine to Gilgit Baltistan government. Such steps of Punjab government have resulted in promotion of brotherhood, unity and harmony,” he added. Shahbaz said that service to the people is his mission and politics of service is the pivot of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. He said that protection of interests of Pakistan is top priority and we all have to work jointly for the progress and prosperity of the country.