LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that he will not sit idle until provision of clean drinking water to every citizen of the province. “Education, healthcare and development projects of public welfare are top priorities of the Punjab government,” he said while presiding over a meeting here on Wednesday, The chief minister said that provision of clean drinking water to citizens was a gigantic task, adding that government was fully committed to providing clean drinking water to every citizen of the province as lives of thousands of people were inextricably linked to it. The chief minister said that clean drinking water projects were being completed on priority basis in every city of the province, including Lahore. Shehbaz said that his government was utilising all available resources to provide best and modern healthcare facilities to the people. He went on to say that a foolproof system of disposing of hospital waste would be ensured. He said that a composite hospital waste system was being introduced at all public sector hospitals across the province. “High-quality medicines, latest medical equipments and provision of best facilities are being ensured in all the hospitals of the Punjab,” he added. “I salute government officers and officials who are working hard to serve the masses, but will never tolerate any negligence in the public welfare projects at any level. Every person deputed to serve the masses will have to be answerable to his duties.” Rana Sanaullah, Begum Zakiya Shahnawaz, Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Khawaja Imran Nazir, Shaikh Allahuddin, Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan, chief secretary and others attended the meeting. Separately, Turkey-Pakistan Business Council Lahore (DEIK) Chairman Atilla D Yerlikaya Wednesday called on the Punjab CM. During the meeting, matters pertaining to mutual interest, including enhancement of bilateral cooperation in health and other sectors came under discussion Speaking on the occasion, Shehbaz said that history of bilateral relations with Turkey was spanned over hundreds of years. He said that vast opportunities of economic cooperation existed with Turkey and Ankara’s investment in Punjab would be warmly welcomed. “Revolutionary changes were being introduced in health sector with Turkish technical cooperation.” Similarly, he added, bright prospects of Turkish investment existed in agriculture, industry, textile and other sectors and no hurdle would ever arise in the way of Turkish investors. The chief minister also warmly welcomed Turkish guest and presented him a commendatory shield. Atilla D Yerlikaya said that Shehbaz Sharif was very revered to them and they acknowledged his leadership abilities and vision of public development. The development process under his leadership was praiseworthy, he added. Malik Nadeem Kamran, Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Khawaja Imran Nazir, Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan, CEO of PBIT and others were also present. Separately, the chief minister strongly condemned a firing incident in Quetta targeting security officials and expressed grief over the martyrdom of security officials. “Those who are sacrificing their lives are our real heroes and the nation promises to honour them by standing firm against terrorists.” Published in Daily Times, February 15th 2018.