Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said the basic agenda of the Pakistan Muslim League-N was to serve the masses and to bring about betterment in the quality of their lives.

Talking to assembly members belonging to various districts, he said the Punjab government had diverted the direction of its resources to poor people whereas development projects worth billions of rupees had been expeditiously completed throughout the province, benefitting people a great deal. He said if people provided the PML-N an opportunity to serve them after the forthcoming general elections, it would change the destiny of the nation under the dynamic leadership of Nawaz Sharif and would rid the country of darkness by transforming it into an economic power.

Shahbaz said the PML-N government was implementing a comprehensive programme of promotion of economic and social activities in the province while it had adopted a solid strategy for elimination of poverty and unemployment. He said the self-employment scheme had been initiated to provide jobs to young generation under which interest-free loans were being provided to enable them to start their own businesses.

flood: Shahbaz Sharif has directed the administration to remain fully prepared and alert to combat any situation arising out of possible flood in the Chenab.

He directed the Provincial Disaster Management Authority Director General, Gujranwala and Faisalabad commissioners to immediately activate relief teams in low-lying areas near the Chenab besides ensuring continuous monitoring of water level in the river.

The chief minister also directed the Rawalpindi commissioner to complete arrangements to meet any situation due to rainwater in Nullah Leh. Meanwhile, he also directed all commissioners of the province to take maximum preventive steps and review possible flood situation in their respective areas.

Minister: Punjab Minister for Education Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman has said that the struggle against extremism can never be fruitful without enhancing the literacy rate.

Talking to a delegation of a private university on Saturday, he further said that complete elimination of terrorism and extremism was necessary for the progress, development and prosperity of the country.

The minister said the private universities were playing a pivotal role in the promotion of higher education in the country, adding the Punjab government would continue its cooperation and assistance to the private educational institutions.

He said the government was awarding scholarships to thousands of talented students for studying in the country and abroad.