LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar strongly condemned firing by Indian army on unarmed Kashmiris in Indian-Held Kashmir on Monday. He expressed a deep sense of sorrow and grief over the martyrdom of Kashmiri youth and extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved heirs. In a statement, Punjab CM Sardar Usman Buzdar said that Indian armed forces have gone to every extent in their brutalities against unarmed Kashmiri people in IHK. He said that the international community should take immediate notice of horrific crimes of Indian armed forces in IHK. “There is no moral justification of silence from the international community on the bloodshed perpetrated by occupied Indian forces,” he said, adding that the international community should fully pressurise India to immediately stop its carnage in IHK. India should fully understand that it cannot snatch away the inalienable right of freedom from Kashmiris despite its continued cruelties, Sardar Usman Buzdar said. Similarly, the freedom movement in IHK cannot be muzzled. There is an urgent need that international conscience should be awakened on worst cruelties meted out by Indian forces against unarmed Kashmiris, he said. The Punjab chief minister said that cruelties of Indian armed forces cannot deprive the Kashmiris of their right to self-determination until late and they will have to be given that right. He said that the Indian government cannot suppress the passion of freedom of Kashmiris through guns and bullets and time has proved that Indian government’s brutal policy of torture and persecution has failed. Separately, Punjab CM Usman Buzdar said that setting aside political differences and diversity in view points, we all will have to work as team to deliver to people and in the larger interest of the country. The chief minister stated this while presiding over separate meetings of Members of Provincial Assembly belonging to Gujranwala and Bahawalpur at the Punjab Assembly cafeteria. He listened to the problems of the assembly members and issued on-the-spot instructions for their solution. Addressing the meetings, Buzdar said that assembly members are his lieutenants and their respect is his honour. He made it clear that he will go to every extent to provide qualitative service delivery mechanism to the people. “You are my strength in this important mission,” he added. I know my powers well and every job will be done purely on merit in Punjab. He reiterated that problems related to assembly members will be solved on priority basis and wrong policies of the past government will be exposed before the public. “We have not done anything wrong, nor will do so and nobody will be allowed to commit anything wrong,” he said. The CM enunciated that selfless service to the people is a prime agenda and added that he is always available to serve the assembly members. He said we shall jointly work to fulfill the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan and results of far-reaching reforms in different sectors, including health and education, will soon bear fruit. “The post of CM is not a high position but an important obligation for me. I fully understand your problems and will be striving hard for their solution,” he added. Buzdar said that the process of meetings and consultations with the assembly members will continue and close liaison with assembly members will be ensured so that problems relating to the people could be timely solved. He said that proposals of assembly members will be implemented and every possible resources will be used to solve the problems relating to the Southern Punjab. He informed that principals, MS and specialist doctors are being appointed in Southern Punjab and other districts in phases. Regrettably, the squatters were given a free hand during the past tenure but the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government has brought them to book. He added that indiscriminate operation against land grabbers and encroachments will continue and told that anti-encroachment committees have been setup at district level. These committees will review different matters pertaining to encroachments and the poor people like daily wage earners will not be disturbed. “We have, rather, initiated action against the powerful cabal,” he concluded. Senior minister Abdul Aleem Khan said that kachi abadis and residential areas of the impecunious strata are not included in the campaign against encroachments. Provincial Irrigation Minister Mohsin Leghari said that irrigation department is fully committed to eradicate corruption. Provincial ministers assured to implement various proposals presented by the assembly members about their departments. Published in Daily Times, October 23rd 2018.