Daily Times

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that transparency in development projects has become a hallmark of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government.

Talking to a delegation of PML-N here on Tuesday, the chief minister said that the PML-N government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, had completed mega projects at a fast track.

The chief minister said that farmers were being given interest-free loans under the Kissan Package launched by the incumbent government, and added that prices of fertilisers had also been reduced.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, he said, would change the destiny of Pakistan. He said that all projects were being completed in time by ensuring transparency, which had helped government save billion of rupees.

He said some opponents were perturbed over transparency and speedy completion of uplift projects. He said those who were hatching conspiracies against the journey of progress and development in the country had been exposed.

In a veiled yet apparent reference to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Shahbaz said those, who dubbed the metro bus Metro a “jangla bus” service had launched such a project in Peshawar.

He said that such elements had wasted precious time of the nation through sit-ins and lockdown and deprived the people of their province of development and progress.

Furthermore, the chief minister on Tuesday presided over a high-level meeting to review measures to set up Ramadan bazaars.

Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that special relief would be provided to the people during Ramadan, while quality food items would be made available at Ramadan bazaars across the province.

The meeting decided to set up 318 agriculture fair price shops under Agriculture Department where fruits and vegetables would be sold at wholesale rate.

He said that there should be no complaint of shortage or unavailability of any food item at Ramazan bazaars.

The chief minister also directed authorities concerned to take strict action against profiteers. He said advance measures should be taken to control prices in open markets to provide relief to the people.

Provincial ministers, including Malik Nadeem Kamran, Sheikh Allauddin, Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Naeem Akhtar Bhabha, and Dr Umer Saif, chief secretary and other officials concerned were also present.

Separately, the chief minister Tuesday took notice of unavailability of gunny bags at wheat procurement centre in Narowal and sought a report from the provincial minister for food and secretary.

He also ordered investigation into the unpleasant incident with farmers and said strict action will be taken against those found guilty. He said there should be no complaint of unavailability of gunny bags at wheat procurement centres.

Meanwhile, the Punjab chief minister has strongly condemned a blast in Kurram Agency area on Tuesday that left at least 10 people dead.

The chief minister expressed his grief and sorrow over the loss of precious human lives, and conveyed his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the families of the deceased. He prayed for early recovery of the injured.