Daily Times

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi called on Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar at his office on Wednesday, where both the leaders strongly condemned Indian state-sponsored terrorism in Indian-Held Kashmir and incidents of unprovoked firing at the Line of Control (LOC) by the Indian army.

Talking on the occasion, the CM said that unabated incidents of firing by Indian army at the LOC is highly condemnable adding that continued silence of the international conscience over most atrocious cruelties of Indian armed forces against unarmed Kashmiri civilians is deplorable. “The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government has exposed Indian cruelties at every level as aggressive Indian designs are a continued threat to regional peace,” he added.

While talking with reference to the development of southern Punjab, the CM said that cabinet meetings will be held in other divisions after Bahawalpur division.

“Steps have been started to improve the entry and exit points of Multan and other southern Punjab divisions,” he said. Meanwhile, a separate secretariat for southern Punjab will be established from the next financial year. A separate annual development programme will be maintained for southern Punjab and the promises made with people of southern areas of the province will be fulfilled at every cost, he said. He said that a project of establishing a cancer hospital in Multan is under consideration. In addition to it, backward areas will also be developed and all the decisions are made with mutual consultations. Our agenda is public service and a sovereign Pakistan under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan is our destination, he said.

Talking on the occasion, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan has highlighted the core issue of Kashmir at every forum. The PTI government believes in maintaining brotherly relations with all the countries of the world but no compromise will be made on solidarity and sovereignty of the country, he added. Federal Parliamentary Secretary Makhdoom Zain Qureshi was also present in the meeting.

Meanwhile, Member of National Assembly Kanwal Shauzab, Member of Provincial Assembly Syed Samsam Ali Shah Bukhari and the PTI leader Rai Hassan Nawaz also held meetings with the CM at his office. Talking on the occasion, Buzdar said that he will visit every district and tehsil of the province. He said that long-awaited problems of Ahmadpur East will be solved on priority basis and repair and maintenance of roads, improvement of sewerage system and restoration of parks will be done as well.

“It is the responsibility of local bodies to improve the cleanliness situation and action will be initiated against relevant officers and officials failing to solve the problems of the people,” he said.

CM Buzdar directed that deputy commissioner Bahawalpur should personally visit Ahmadpur East and take immediate steps for the solution of problems. Buzdar said that he will soon visit Sahiwal and decisions will be made in consultation with assembly members and party leaders of the division. Provision of necessary facilities of life and prompt solution of problems of the people is a priority agenda of the government and our every moment is meant for giving a better future to the general public, Buzdar said. The vision of PM Imran Khan is assurance of a bright future and Pakistan is moving towards the right direction under his dynamic leadership. A strategy has been devised to devolve the fruits of change at the grassroots and a new example has been set by introducing reforms in different sectors in a short period of time. By the grace of Almighty Allah, Pakistan will achieve its true destination in 2019, the CM concluded.

Separately, CM Buzdar congratulated literary organisation Dareecha’s newly-elected secretary Asghar Ali Javed and other office-bearers on their success in the annual election and extended good wishes for their success.

In a message of felicitations, Buzdar said that selection of a presidential award winning Seerat Nigar for the second term is laudable and recognition of literary services of Asghar Ali Javed. It is hoped that the new body will work hard for the promotion of Urdu literature as well as protection of rights of the writers, he added.

Buzdar has taken notice of abduction-cum-murder of a grade 7 student in Gujranwala and has sought a report from the inspector general police. Legal action should be initiated against the criminals and justice should be provided to the bereaved family at every cost, he said.

Buzdar also condoled the death of journalist Nawaz Raza’s father.

In a condolence message, the CM has extended sympathies to the bereaved family and prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace.