Rural roads programme to bring prosperity: Shahbaz

LAHORE
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme will bring a revolution of prosperity in rural life in a real sense.
Addressing engineers and officers of Communication & Works Department on Thursday, the CM said Rs 150 billion Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme will improve rural economy and living standard of common man. He said Communication & Works Department will have to enhance its capability for implementation of this huge programme of repair and construction of rural roads. He said those showing best performance regarding implementation of the programme will be encouraged and awarded commendatory certificates and cash prizes while those showing poor performance will be held accountable. He said bonus will be given to labourers of contractors working on the programme while contractors showing outstanding performance will also be given commendatory certificates. The CM said he is ready to make a new social agreement with Communication & Works Department, however, the department will also have to work day and night for serving people.
The CM said the Punjab government has launched a glorious and excellent project for the improvement of rural economy under which, besides construction, repair and widening of rural roads, new roads will also be constructed. He said the hard-earned money of the poor nation will not be allowed to go waste. We have changed the graveyards of corruption of the previous government into development minarets. Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme has been evolved for welfare of 70 per cent population living in rural areas which will not only strengthen the economy of Punjab but also Pakistan, the CM said.
Speaking at the meeting, Punjab Minister for Communication & Works Malik Tanvir Aslam said the Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme is of great importance. He said such a gigantic programme has been started for development of rural areas first time in the history of the country. On the occasion, Agriculture Minister Dr Farrukh Javed said labourers, farmers and common man living in villages will benefit from Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme.
Shadbagh: Shahbaz Sharif visited the residence of the family whose six children lost their lives in a fire on Sher Shah Road Shadbagh and sympathised with the bereaved family.
He offered Fateha for the departed souls. Talking to the father of the deceased children, Syed Qaisar Shah and other members of the family, Shahbaz Sharif said he was shocked over the tragic incident. He said he had not been able to sleep peacefully since the occurrence of the tragedy and could not express his sentiments in words.
The chief minister said though he could not bring the children back but those guilty of negligence would not be spared and stern legal action would be taken against them in the light of the inquiry report. He inquired from the DCO Lahore why the fire could not be controlled through spray of water from the fire brigade vehicle. He said it was tragic that six innocent lives were lost due to inefficiency of the departments and agencies concerned. He said he would personally arrange an inquiry into the matter and vigorous action would be taken against the guilty persons.
Talking to the media after condoling with the bereaved family, Shahbaz Sharif said an inquiry had been ordered into the tragic incident and a committee headed by Chairman Chief Minister’s Inspection Team had been set up to bring the facts to light. He said a complete inquiry would be conducted into the delay in the arrival of fire brigade and Rescue-1122 vehicles and action would be taken against the persons concerned. The chief minister directed that a station of Rescue-1122, named after the children who died in the tragedy, be set up in Shadbagh.