Historic reception for Nawaz proves masses’ love for him: Shahbaz

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said the historic reception for Nawaz Sharif is a proof of people’s tremendous love for him and it also shows that the masses want national development. 

In a statement on Friday, the chief minister said Nawaz Sharif and the people are inseparable. The people have always reposed their full confidence in the PML-N policies and the party has also taken practical steps for national development instead of indulging in lip-service. 

Shahbaz said national development and public welfare are our prime targets, while the claimants of so-called change have wasted their time on roads during the last four years. Instead of indulging in public service, negative politics has been their agenda. He said the credit of setting up energy projects for getting rid of the darkness goes to the PML-N and Pakistan is also economically stronger than ever before. The revival of sagging economy is the golden achievement of Nawaz and economic policies of his four-year tenure have helped to give sound footing to the national economy. On the other hand, terrorism and extremism were satisfactorily lessened due to effective policies of the government. 

He said that vibrant, prosperous and a bright Pakistan is our destination and the defeated political cabal obstructing this journey are an enemy of the nation who have obstructed this public welfare programme just for their personal gains. 

These are those elements which have been rejected by the people in general as well as in by-elections. These elements will face a historic defeat in the general elections of 2018, he added. 

He said the popularity of the PML-N has diminished the politics of opponents. The warm welcome of Nawaz Sharif proves that he is the only national leader who lives in the hearts of Pakistanis and the nation is fully supporting the PML-N leadership for the completion of development journey. He said 200 million people of Pakistan will not allow anybody to darken their future. 

The chief minister condemned the blast in Bajaur Agency and expressed grief over the loss of precious human lives. He extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for early recovery of the injured. 

Meanwhile, the chief minister said more than 60 percent population of Pakistan consists of the youth and provision of resources for youth empowerment is a beneficial investment to secure the bright future of the country. 

In his message on the International Day of the Youth, the chief minister said the Punjab government has taken revolutionary steps for youth empowerment and their welfare. He said the purpose of celebration of this day is to highlight the adoption of steps so that the youth could fully utilise their potential along with ensuring the solution of their problems so that they could be included in the national mainstream. He said the talented youth of Pakistan has proved its mettle in every field and the government is giving special attention to improve their skills. 

He said educational stipends have been given to thousands of low-income families from the Punjab Educational Endowment Fund so that their children could study without being burdened. Similarly, soft loans worth billions of rupees have been distributed to the jobless youth to economically empower them and a project of financial support has also been started so that the needy youth having necessary technical skills could start their own business.