Daily Times

LAHORE: Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said that transparency and merit was the hallmark of all development projects being completed by the Punjab government.

Talking to a group of lawmakers who called on him, the CM said: “We are focusing on public service and not raising hollow slogans. The government believes in practical measures. We have served the people whole heartedly and maintaining peace, end of energy crisis and setting country on the road of development are the bright examples of our public service. I am monitoring development projects personally. My every breath is dedicated to the country. The voyage of public service has been moved forward swiftly despite obstacles,” he said.

The chief minister said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government was working for transparency, service and patriotism. “The progress the country has made in last four and a half years is unparalleled. Projects like metro-bus and Orange Line Metro Train are the evidence of spending resources on the public. In contrast to the past, PML-N has completed the projects speedily and we are moving toward our destination of a prosperous, peaceful, developed and bright Pakistan. Projects of public welfare are being completed with transparency, quality and speed. Despite all the barriers, the journey of the country’s development and prosperity is moving forward. The agenda of development and prosperity will continue to grow onwards. The culture of transparency and merit has been promoted and our development plans are the uppermost masterpiece of transparency, quality and speed. International institutions are acknowledging the reduction in corruption and increase in transparency in Pakistan. The credit for all this goes to the current government as international institutions have also recognised our transparent policies. The PML-N government has revolutionised social sectors and have taken exclusive measures for the development of health, education and other sectors. Under the balanced development strategy, projects have been completed in under-developed areas on priority basis. The completion of the development projects of South Punjab is our utmost priority and billions of rupees are being made spent on its progress. Modern medical devices have been provided in the hospitals across the province. A burn unit has been set up in Multan. People are getting benefit from metro bus service in Multan. Construction of two-way road from Muzaffargarh to Dera Ghazi Khan worth of billions of rupees underway. A two-way road from the Khanwal to Lodharan is also under construction. Our every step is for the welfare of the people and concrete plans are being implemented for enhancing quality of life and living standard of common man. No one can question the transparency of our development projects,” he said. He said that those raise hollow slogans had fled to mountains when dengue had attacked their province. “People will hold all those accountable who plundered national resources in the upcoming elections. We will establish new records of public service throughout the country after winning elections of 2018. The stories of corruption and plundering of former rulers is well known to every young and old. If these elements may not be involved in the negative politics for their vested interests, many projects would have been completed timely. The Orange Line Metro Train project also fell prey to adversaries. Despite the hurdles created by our opponents, we will keep striving for betterment by moving forward on the journey of development and welfare,” he said.

Condolences: Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday expressed deep sorrow over the death of wife of Mufti Muhammad Hussain Naemee and mother of Dr Muhammad Sarfraz Naemee (Shaheed). He deeply commiserated with the bereaved family of late in his condolence message and prayed for patience for them to bear the loss with fortitude also eternal peace for the departed soul.

Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the sad demise of daughter of senior journalist Shahid Sheikh. In his condolence message, he extended his heartiest sympathies to the bereaved family. The chief minister prayed eternal peace for departed soul and patience for lamenting family to bear this loss with fortitude.

Published in Daily Times, February 12^th 2018.