Resources diverted towards less-developed areas: Shahbaz

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said mega development projects of billions of rupees had been completed during the last four and a half years to provide relief to the people, adding that work was in progress on others round the clock.

Addressing video-link meeting held at Model Town before his departure for Makkah from Madina, he said the common man was the focus of all development projects which had improved living standards.

Shahbaz said the Punjab government had introduced third-party audit apart from the internal audit which ensured transparent utilisation of funds. In the 70-year history of Pakistan, Punjab had the distinction of an effective audit system due to which projects were completed speedily and transparently, he added.

The chief minister said the Punjab government had diverted the resources towards the poor and less-developed areas, with special funds allocated for southern Punjab. Meanwhile, Shahbaz took notice of a firing incident in Okara, in which five persons were shot dead, by seeking a report from the DPO and ordering an investigation. He said strict action should be taken against the culprits and they must be arrested immediately. Separately, the chief minister expressed grief and sorrow over the death of former Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) retired Gen Khalid Shameem Wynne in a road accident near Rawalpindi. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed that Allah Almighty may rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss with fortitude.