Public welfare dearer to me than premiership: Shahbaz

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said provision of hygienic food to people is a responsibility of the government and the society will also have to play its role in this regard.

Addressing an international food security nutrition seminar at a local hotel here on Wednesday, he said there was nothing more important than human health and all available resources would be utilized for the provision of quality eatables to people. To achieve this goal, the government established the Punjab Food Authority (PFA). “We have examples of Islamic countries like Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Malaysia where high food standards are implemented. We have started the same in Punjab and the PFA played an exemplary role in this regard.” He said Rs 2.70 billion funds had been given to the authority this year and added that if this body required Rs 20 billion, the same would be given. He said the sale of “open milk is not possible in developed countries and though India is our opponent, people get best packed milk according to health standards there”.

He said: “We are thankful to the apex court for granting permission to work on the Orange Line Metro Train project. The PTI opposed this gigantic project. In fact, the PTI opposed poor people, not me, by causing a delay of 22 months. The PTI actually damaged the national interest. Is this the justice of the Tehreek-e-Insaf? For God’s sake, leave such politics. If you have limousines, don’t oppose an honourable mode of travel for the poor. The train was scheduled to start its services from December 25 and lakhs of people would have traveled on it till today. Niazi Sahib, remember that the politics of public service always succeeds and by the grace of Allah Almighty, the PML-N shall achieve a mammoth victory in the next elections.”

He said: “When the SC announced its verdict against Nawaz Sharif, I was offered to become prime minister. I requested them to let me stay in Punjab because it is my promise with people to complete all projects started here. I cannot go to Islamabad by leaving public interest projects incomplete. Public welfare is dearer to me than prime ministership as these positions come and go. Nations are made with hard work, honesty and trust and Pakistan is a great gift of the Quaid. If we collectively decide to make it a great country, nothing can obstruct our commitment.”

PFA Chairman Amir Hiraj said credit for setting up the PFA went to the CM. The PFA DG gave a briefing on the authority objectives. Earlier, laying the foundation stone of the main campus of the Information Technology University (ITU), the CM said provision of best education on merit and not money was the aim behind setting up the ITU Punjab.

Addressing a ceremony, the chief minister said some years back, an IT university was set up at the Arfa Karim Tower and the foundation stone of this great institution was being laid at a precious piece of land (183 acres) worth billions of rupees on the Barki Road today.

Punjab Minister for Higher Education Raza Ali Gillani, Secretary Higher Education Department (HED) Punjab Barrister Nabeel A Awan, ITU Vice Chancellor Dr Umar Saif, Chairman Punjab HEC Dr Nizamuddin, ITU Registrar Zaheer Sarwar, faculty members and a large number of students were present on the occasion.

Congratulating parents, teachers and students who got degrees at the university convocation held a few days back, the chief minister said this university had been established to provide quality education while scholarships were also offered to brilliant students. He said the ITU was promoting the vision of the Quaid-i-Azam because Pakistan was created by the founding father to give equal rights to all and sundry. He said the rich continued to prosper while the poor became poorer. He said the birth anniversary of the Quaid was approaching and “we all should ponder what the Quaid wanted us to do what we have done?”

He said with the grace of Allah Almighty, Pakistan would be self-sufficient one day and emerge as a great Islamic country in the world. He said the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute was being established in the provincial metropolis at a cost of Rs 20 billion. These funds were provided by the Punjab government from its own resources and the first phase of this project would be inaugurated on December 25.

Dr Umar Saif , who is advisor to the CM and chairman of the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), said 63 per cent of ITU students were availing either full or partial scholarships as per the vision of the CM who wanted the ITU to be a university of common man. He said the university received Rs700 million research grants, published 465 research papers in leading journals of the world and through 160 startups attracted $70 million in just four years.

Punjab Minister for Higher Education Ali Raza Gillani said: “We should not underestimate ourselves and should become offensive as the modern world is the world of information technology and it had the highest rate of employment opportunities.”

Meanwhile, in a message, the CM expressed grief over the death of the wife of Naimat Ali, controller of Chief Minister’s Office. He also condoled the death of the mother of Abid Noor Bhatti, deputy director of Directorate General Public Relations Department. He prayed may Allah rest the departed souls in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved families to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude.