Govt priority: Transparency hallmark of all development projects, says CM

Shahbaz says Rs112 billion has been saved in construction of gas-based power projects

LAHORE:

The government is promoting transparency, merit and good governance, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Sunday.

He was talking to a delegation of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmakers.

“Billions of rupees has been saved through financial discipline and transparency in development projects. Maintenance of transparency in development projects is unprecedented. A new trend of high quality and transparent execution of development schemes has been set,” he said.

The chief minister said that Rs112 billion had been saved by ensuring transparency in three gas-based power projects in the Punjab.

“Funds saved through austerity in public spending are being spent on projects for progress and prosperity of the people. Bringing deprived segments of society into the mainstream of development is the objective of the PML-N government,” he said.

The chief minister said that maximum funds were being utilised for the provision of basic amenities to the people. “In accordance with the policy of balanced development, mega projects are being executed expeditiously in backward areas. The masses are benefitting from the projects completed in education, health, infrastructure and social sectors,” he said.

The chief minster said that had the policy of merit and transparency been adopted in the implementation of projects during last 68 years, the situation in the country would have been different. “Corruption was rampant during dictatorships. The rulers made no practical effort to resolve the problems of the people. They misappropriated huge amounts in the name of development projects, but did nothing to resolve the energy crisis,” he said.



The chief minister said that the present government was making efforts to rid the country of energy crisis. “The day is not far when Pakistan will be steered out of crises and put on the road to progress and prosperity. Due to solid economic policies of the federal government, the national economy has improved. Foreign exchange reserves are at the highest level in the history of the country,” he said.

He said that work was being carried out on several power projects and their completion in 2017 would help eliminate loadshedding. “China is investing $36 billion in energy projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor agreement,” he said.

Inland water transport

The chief minister presided over a meeting to review the Inland Water Transport Development Project. The chief minister reprimanded the officials over the delay in the project. He said that public funds were a national trust and timely utilisation of resources was the responsibility of government departments. “Action will be taken against officials responsible for delay in a project. Laxity in utilisation of resources will not be tolerated,” he said.

The chief minister constituted a committee to submit a detailed report regarding the delay in the execution of the project. Inland Water Transport Development Project Chairman Naeem Sarfraz briefed the meeting. Irrigation Minister Yawar Zaman was also present.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18^th, 2016.