100pc elimination of corruption impossible: CM

Lauds OPC services; orders Rana Sanaullah to contact
High Court for setting up separate courts for overseas Pakistanis

LAHORE

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that lakhs of Pakistanis living abroad are ambassadors of their country and the efficiency of Overseas Pakistanis Commission Punjab, set up for resolving their problems, is commendable.

He said there is a need to expand the good work started from Punjab to the whole country. 

He expressed these views while addressing a function held here in connection with first anniversary of Overseas Pakistanis Commission Punjab and Independence Day at Chief Minister Office, here Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Shahbaz Sharif said Overseas Pakistanis Commission Punjab had provided relief to thousands of Overseas Pakistanis through addressing their complaints. He thanked the entire team of Overseas Pakistanis Commission Punjab and other institutions for cooperating in this regard. 

Shahbaz Sharif said whether it is Britain, America, Norway or any other country, 100 percent elimination of corruption is not possible. However, he said, in those countries there is supremacy of law, which takes its course over any wrongdoing, and no one dares to interfere or use his influence. 

The chief minister announced setting up of one-window station in those districts which have a large number of people living abroad. Desks of different institutions will be set up in one-widow stations and problems of Overseas Pakistanis will be resolved under one-roof. Shahbaz Sharif said resources would be provided for this purpose while high court would be contacted to consider setting up of separate courts to deal with cases of Overseas Pakistanis. He directed Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah to contact High Court for setting up of separate courts for immediate decisions of the cases pertaining to overseas Pakistanis. 

He said work was in progress on 3,600 megawatts gas-based power projects in Punjab and power production would start from March next year from the first phase of Bhikki power plant started last year.He said had Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah lived for seven or eight years more, Pakistan would have been much ahead of India and would not have been facing the current problems.

He said that unfortunately, Quaid-e-Azam left this world and the nation was still looking for a new Quaid. He said that those who serve the people with commitment and dedication are remembered by the masses. He said that speeches, slogans and poetry cannot change the destiny of a nation and practical efforts are needed to overcome challenges and problems. He said that by setting up Overseas Pakistanis Commission Punjab, a step has been taken in the right direction and there is a need to follow this model. He said that Overseas Pakistanis Commission Punjab will have to play its due role without being deterred by challenges and difficulties. 

Shuja Khanzada: Shahbaz Sharif has said that Provincial Minister Colonel (R) Shuja Khanzada Shaheed laid down his precious life for peace in the country and the nation has not forgotten his great sacrifice. 

He said Shuja Khanzada lived in our hearts and would live forever. In a message on the first death anniversary of Colonel (R) Shuja Khanzada, the chief minister said Shuja Khanzada embraced martyrdom like a brave soldier and his sacrifice would be remembered forever. He said Shuja Khanzada was a true, honest, steadfast and brave politician who rendered invaluable services for the elimination of terrorism in Punjab; his services will be remembered forever for public peace and eradication of terrorism from the province.

MPA: Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan Muslim League-N government has promoted the culture of transparency, high standard and speedy completion of development projects.

He was talking to MPA Syed Raza Ali Gillani who met him here Tuesday. He said the strategy adopted for investment and promotion of economic, trade and industrial activities was yielding positive results and due to excellent performance of the government, splendid success had been achieved on the economic front. 

He said that Pakistan had started its journey towards progress and prosperity with a stable economy and higher growth rate. He said the large number of projects aimed at national progress and prosperity were an example of public service. He said that due to political wisdom and vision of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan was moving towards progress. 

Governor: Shahbaz Sharif called on Governor Rafique Rajwana at Governor House, here on Tuesday.

Matters regarding pace of development projects and public welfare programmes were discussed in the meeting.

Talking on the occasion, the chief minister said that work was continuing on development projects of billions of rupees in the province. He said the Punjab government had promoted transparency, high standard and speed in the execution of projects. He said that revolutionary reforms had been introduced for the uplift of education, health and other social sectors. He said the government was making efforts for providing the best facilities to the masses and its every effort was aimed at raising living standard of the common man.

Governor Rafique Rajwana said Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was serving the masses with commitment and dedication. He congratulated the chief minister on the term Punjab Speed introduced in China and accredited the chief minister and his team that term Punjab Speed had taken the place of the term Shenzen Speed in China.