Buzdar terms young generation an asset

LAHORE : Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was taking practical steps for promotion of art and culture throughout the province.

Addressing a prize-distribution ceremony held in the honour of artistes, who won different competitions under the Punjab Talent Hunt Programme 2021 at the CM office here on Saturday, he said the culture department remained neglected in the past. However, he added, now all relevant departments were working wholeheartedly for promotion of cultural activities.

Artistes have been encouraged through Talent Hunt Programme and the scope of the project would be extended to the tehsil level, he added. Usman Buzdar promised that the government would provide funds to the department needed for promotion of culture. He said that the Punjab government had decided to launch its TV channel, where new talent would be promoted while places like Pak Tea House Lahore would also be established for intellectuals and poets in the other districts of Punjab.

He termed the Talent Hunt Programme an effective platform for young artistes to showcase their abilities in music, fine arts, science and literature, handicrafts and theatre.

He said that young generation was an asset and the provincial government would not only protect them but also provide them with new opportunities of development and progress.

Provincial Minister for Culture Khayal Ahmad Kastro, MPA Sadia Sohail, Secretary Information, DGPR, Executive Director Punjab Arts Council, Director Punjab Arts Council and officials concerned, winning artistes and their families also participated in the ceremony.

The CM gave away cash prizes and commendatory certificates to the winners.

Provincial Minister Khayal Ahmad Kastro said that Talent Hunt Programme was the best way to encourage young artistes and the Punjab chief minister had extended full support for the success of the programme at every level. Secretary Information and Culture Raja Jahangir Anwar said that about 10,000 young persons including women performed in seven different categories of the Talent Hunt Programme at district and divisional level. The Talent Hunt Programme was organised by the Punjab Arts Council under the auspices of the Punjab Department of Information and Culture. Punjab Chief Minister Saturday appreciated the Home Department performance and jail reforms carried out by it.

He was talking to Punjab Chief Secretary Jawad Rafique Malik and Additional Chief Secretary Home Momin Agha, who met him here.

The chief secretary presented a souvenir/shield to Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on the 100th anniversary of establishment of the Home Department.

The CM said that the Punjab government had made far-reaching reforms in jails of the province aimed to safeguard the rights of prisoners.

He said the PTI government as ensured complete freedom to the Home Department.

He said that multi-storey barracks were being constructed in seven jails of the province which had a capacity of 10,000 prisoners.

He said that reward and punishment were necessary to take any system forward.

The Prisoners Management Information System had been launched in 21 jails of Punjab.

Courtrooms had also been set up in jails, he added.

The scope of Baloch Levies had been extended to Rajanpur.

Prisoners were also human being and they also had rights, said Usman Buzdar.

In order to ensure basic human rights to the prisoners, the government was changing the rotten and obsolete prisons system.

The additional chief secretary home briefed the CM about performance of the Home Department and other important issues.

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said that a father is like a shady tree for his children and Islam teaches giving respect to the father.

In his message on Father’s Day, he said that affection and love should be shown to the father every day, and not on some particular or special day.

The chief minister said that eternal and worldly success was linked with serving and honouring father.

The relation of the father was free from any worldly demand or interests.

He said that the father was like a protector for his children and only children could realise and feel the sweetness of fatherly love and affection.

He said that no region, nation or segment of society could ever ignore the greatness and importance of father.

Meanwhile, Usman Buzdar has taken notice of the murder of a girl student after rape in Qilla Didar Singh Gujranwala and sought a report from the regional police officer.

The chief minister ordered for initiating legal action against the accused.

Buzdar said that those involved in the heinous act deserved stern punishment.

He assured the victim family that justice would be provided at any cost.

He also extended heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the bereaved family.