Shahbaz visits different locations in Wazirabad, Narowal

GUJRANWALA/LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif paid a surprise visit to a wheat procurement centre at Wazirabad on Thursday and suspended its in-charge over mismanagement.

On his unannounced arrival, the chief minister found poor arrangements for the wheat growers. A number of farmers complained about lack of facilities in extreme weather and misbehaviour of the officials. Hearing the complaints, the chief minister suspended the centre in-charge, Rana Jamshed. Talking to the farmers, Shahbaz said the government was trying its best to facilitate them and strengthen the agriculture sector.

Meanwhile, the administrative officers rushed to the spot after hearing about the arrival of chief minister who stayed there only for 15 minutes. Shahbaz also inspected different wheat procurement centres in Narowal and checked different facilities provided to the farmers. During the unannounced visit, he said the farmers should be provided with facilities instead of any pomp and show and he would not tolerate such show-off in any case.

At a centre in Mandi Khel, he monitored the wheat procurement campaign and distribution of gunny bags among the farmers. He listened to the farmers’ problems for quite some time in scorching heat and issued instructions on the spot to solve these.

A large number of farmers gathered on the arrival of the chief minister. The chief minister took notice of delay in issuance of gunny bags to an elderly farmer and reprimanded the officials concerned.

He promised that exploitation of farmers and the role of middlemen would not be allowed during the wheat procurement campaign. In Lahore, the chief minister presided over a meeting which reviewed progress on various ongoing infrastructure projects in the province and the matters related to the six kilometre long elevated expressway project from Ravi Bridge to Kala Shah Kaku on GT Road.

According to a handout, matters of extension of metro bus service to Rachna Town also came under discussion. Addressing the meeting, Shahbaz said projects were being completed speedily across Punjab as economic, industrial and trade activities enhanced due to modern infrastructure.

He said the construction of dual road from Lodhran to Khanewal would be ensured swiftly, adding that no effort would be spared in completion of the public welfare project within the stipulated period. He said traffic flow would improve with the elevated expressway on GT Road and ordered early completion of the project feasibility.   Recommendations of the committee, headed by the communication and works secretary, regarding the project were also reviewed during the meeting.