JHELUM: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain Sunday said equal distribution of resources was crucial to make the country a welfare state and the incumbent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf PTI government would fulfil all the promises which the party had made with the people at the hustings. Addressing a public gathering in Fatehpur, the minister said the PTI government would provide all basic facilities to the masses as per the party’s election manifesto. Lamenting over the attitude of previous governments, he said the common people were deprived of basic health and education facilities in the country while the children of former rulers used to study abroad and get medical treatment there. Schoolchildren in Pakistan, he said, did not have chairs to sit in classrooms with no English teachers, but those of the former rulers were studying in London. The rich even went abroad for treatment of minor diseases, he added. The minister said the farmers and common people of Jhelum and Domeli, which had historical significance, were struggling for their basic rights. Provision of clean drinking water and employment opportunities were their due rights like those of the main cities. The previous governments instead of giving priority to the basic issues, spent huge amounts on unnecessary projects like Orange Train and Metro Bus services, he added. Fawad said the people of Jhelum contributed billions of rupees to the national exchequer each year but the city was not getting its due right in development and welfare projects. He said funds of Rs 1,500 billion had been given to Balochistan in the past but there was not even a single well-equipped hospital in the province. Its people had to go to cities of other provinces to get treatment, he added. The minister said the attitude of opposition parties was not serious as they walked out of parliament over the government’s demand of accountability into corrupt practices committed during the last 10 years. “They (opposition) claim that democracy is in danger when we stress for accountability into corruption of billions of rupees,” he added. The government, he said, would ensure accountability into embezzlement of billions of rupees – the money that actually belonged to the people of the country. “Those having bikes before starting their political career are now owners of precious vehicles and they will be held accountable,” he added. The minister said Prime Minister Imran Khan had always talked to strengthen the local government system in the country so that the public money could be spent for the welfare of common people and on improving the infrastructure at the grassroots level. Fawad said the government was committed to introducing such a local government system where the public funds would be utilized for the welfare and betterment of the masses. It was the government’s responsibility to take steps for the uplift of remote areas, which was only possible through a vibrant local government system, he added. Member of the National Assembly Chaudhry Farrukh Altaf, members of the Punjab Assembly Raja Yawar Kamal and Sameera Javed, and notables of the area, including Raja Muhammad Munawer, were also present on the occasion. They briefed the minister about the issues being faced by the people of the area. Published in Daily Times, November 19th 2018.