Daily Times

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Sunday said that the PTI government had fulfilled its promise of holding peaceful elections in the tribal areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Ina statement, Buzdar said that the people of the tribal areas have been accorded their democratic right for the first time in the country’s history. He said that the polls are a huge success of the PTI government. The PTI government has made history by giving tribesmen their right to democracy.

He said security forces deserve appreciation for holding peaceful elections. He said that the tribesmen have made history by exercising their right to the ballot and it is the victory of peace. He said the past governments have always neglected people of FATA. The PTI government has included people of tribal districts in the development process, he added.

Meanwhile, Buzdar condemned firing at Kotla Syedan checkpoint and a suicide bomb blast at the DHQ Hospital in Dera Ismail Khan. The chief minister has expressed sorrow and grief over the martyrdom of innocent people including policemen. Usman Buzdar expressed sympathy with the bereaved persons and prayed for early recovery of the injured people. He said that the cowardly acts of terrorists could not weaken the resolve of the people against terrorism and the people are united to eliminate the menace. He said that terrorists are enemies of humanity. He expressed condolences with the family members of the martyrs.

Punjab CM condemns firing at Kotla Syedan checkpoint, blast at DI Khan hospital

Separately, Buzdar reached Quetta on Sunday on a daylong visit and called on Balochistan Governor Aman Ullah Khan Yasinzai. Both the leaders discussed matters of mutual interest, development projects, law and order situation and enhanced provincial coordination.

Buzdar said, “Pakistan is our country and we have to work together for its progress and prosperity.” He said that the Punjab government will establish a cardiac hospital in Quatta as a goodwill gesture and funds have been allocated for the purpose. He said, “We have to move forward by enhancing cooperation and brotherhood among provinces.”

The governor welcomed the chief minister in Quetta and said that Punjab and Balochistan would work together for development and prosperity of the provinces. Later, Punjab Buzdar called on Balochistan Health Minister Naseeb Ullah Marri at his residence and expressed sorrow and grief over the death of his sister. He sympathized with the bereaved family and offered Fateha for the departed soul.

Talking to media, the chief minister said that the Punjab government would set up a state-of-the-art cardiac hospital in Quetta and funds have been allocated in the current budget. He said a cardiac hospital is also being built in DG Khan with a cost of Rs 4 billion and a mother-and-child hospital is being constructed in Rajanpur where brethren from Balochistan will also get benefit from healthcare facilities. He also invited Balochistan journalists to visit Lahore.

Meanwhile, PTI leaders from Narowal Amjad Khan Kakar and Naeem Ullah Khan Kakar called on Buzdar. The chief minister, while talking to them, said that the PTI has become the most popular party of the country. Prime Minister Imran Khan is determined to change the fate of the country. He said the era of loot and plunder would not come back. The previous rulers looted resources of the people and neglected the people and now the people have rejected them, he added.

The chief minister said the PTI is the only party which would steer the country out of crises. PTI leader Amjad Kakar said the PTI government is people’s government, and expressed confidence in the PTI leadership. He said they would extend support to the chief minister in his efforts to serve the masses.