CM says PTI government promotes merit

LAHORE: Former Chief Minister Sindh Arbab Ghulam Rahim called on Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar here Tuesday and discussed matters of mutual interest as well as overall political situation.

Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said the present government carried out substantial development in the province, whereas the previous governments relied on pomp and show only. He regretted that the past regimes destroyed institutions through political interference, whereas the present government made the institutions autonomous and ensured appointments on merit.

The chief minister said the culture of personal liking and disliking was weeded out by the PTI government and merit policy was being promoted, stated official spokesman. Chief Minister said the annual budget for education, health and other social sectors has been massively increased in the next fiscal year’s budget, adding the Annual Development Programme would ensure composite development in every district of the province.

Arbab Ghulam praised the vision of Usman Buzdar on presenting a "people friendly" and development focussed budget for the fiscal year 2021-22. He said Punjab Chief Minister’s vision for equal development was praiseworthy as Punjab government created a praiseworthy precedent of presenting separate development packages for every district.

Arbab Ghulam appreciated that record development work was carried out in short span of three years in Punjab. He said the Sindh government can follow Punjab government’s model of development.

Seeks report on cylinder blast: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has sought a report from Commissioner and CCPO Lahore about an incident of cylinder blast in a Barkat Market shop. He has directed the line departments to speed up rescue operations and asked the administration to personally monitor the rescue activities.