Says protection of people’ life, property priority; flays Peshawar blast
LAHORE
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Law and Order on Wednesday which reviewed overall situation in the province. The meeting condemned blast in a bus of secretariat employees in Peshawar and expressed deep sense of sorrow and grief over the loss of precious human lives. The participants of the meeting prayed for the early recovery of the injured.
Addressing the meeting, the CM said protection of life and property of people is the top priority of the government. He directed police to perform its responsibilities efficiently for further improving law and order. He said crackdowns on criminal elements should continue vigorously while foolproof arrangements should be made for protecting life and property of citizens. Shahbaz Sharif said all out resources will be provided for further improvement in law and order. The meeting expressed its satisfaction over the steps taken for checking misuse of loudspeaker, delivering of objectionable speeches besides publication and distribution of such material. The CM inspected operational vehicles provided by federal government for police.
DFID HEAD: British Department for International Development (DFID) head in Pakistan Ms Joanna Reid called on Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. The ongoing programmes in Punjab with the collaboration of DFID in education, health and skills development sectors were discussed in the meeting. DFID head Ms Joanna Reid appreciated the performance of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif with regard to reforms and substantial improvement in education, health and skills development sectors in Punjab and said that a lot of work is being carried out in these sectors under the leadership of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. She said she is happy to see proper use of British taxpayers’ money in Punjab and credit for this goes to the determined leadership of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and his team. The CM on the occasion said Pakistan and Britain are strong partners in the process of progress and prosperity and collaboration between Punjab government and DFID is increasing in different sectors. He said policy of transparency and standard is being implemented at every level in Punjab and the provincial government is ensuring proper use of every penny. DFID representative in Punjab, Ben French was also present on the occasion.
TURK INVESTORS : A delegation of Turk investors met the CM and expressed interest in setting up an energy project based on renewable sources in the province. Speaking on the occasion, the CM said besides traditional methods of generation of electricity, Punjab government is also setting up projects of power production through renewable sources. He said Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park has been set up in Bahawalpur while work is being carried out expeditiously on the setting up of gas-based power plants in the province. Shahbaz Sharif said facilities are being provided to the investors in energy sector on priority basis and all out incentives will also be given to Turk investors. The Turk investors while speaking on the occasion expressed desire to set up a power project based on renewable sources in Punjab.
CM LINKS COUNTRY’S FUTURE WITH AGRICULTURE SECTOR: Shahbaz Sharif said the government is fully aware of the difficulties being faced by agriculture sector. He said all out measures will be taken to protect farmers and cultivators from the problems due to recession at international level in agri sector. He said an agri conference is being arranged in the provincial metropolis during current month for seeking proposals for resolving the problems being confronted by farmers and agriculture sector. He said all stakeholders will be invited to the conference in which solid and meaningful measures will be finalized with the consultation of cultivators, experts and other stakeholders. He was addressing a meeting. The CM said the future of Pakistan’s economy is linked with agriculture sector and all out resources will be made available for the stability and development of agriculture sector. He said the government has taken a number of steps for the welfare and progress of rural population. Shahbaz Sharif said that high quality roads are being constructed in rural areas for easy access from farms to market. He said reconstruction of six barrages and different canals is being undertaken with a huge sum for the promotion of agriculture and irrigation sectors.
