Uplift: Govt following balanced development approach, says CM

Shahbaz announces financial assistance for Seraiki poet

LAHORE: The government is following a balanced policy with regard to rural and urban areas, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Wednesday.

He was talking to a delegation of lawmakers from various districts, who called on him.

“Change cannot be brought about with mere slogans. Practical efforts are needed for this purpose. The government is following the policy of balanced development of all areas. The process of public service and national progress and prosperity will continue under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif,” he said.

He said that the government’s objective was to serve the masses. “We have always given priority to the welfare of the masses. Development projects costing billions of rupees have been completed during the last three years,” he said.

The chief minister said that transparency, high standards and speedy completion of development projects were the hallmark of the government. “The federal and Punjab governments have saved Rs215 billion in completion of development projects. This is a unique development in the country’s history,” he said.

The chief minister said that elected representatives should serve the masses with commitment and spare no efforts to redress their grievances.

Ata Maneka, Arshad Jutt, Najaf Abbas Siyal, Sheikh Fayyazud Din, Begum Ghulam Bibi Bharwana, Raja Muhammad Ali and Asif Malik were also present.

SSC result

The chief minister on Wednesday congratulated position holders of matriculation examination of all educational boards of the province. “The achievement of these students is a source of pride for their parents and teachers. Some of these students are from humble backgrounds and won the positions through their hard work and commitment,” he said.

The chief minister congratulated parents and teachers of the students. “Hard work is always rewarded. Talented and hard working students are a national asset and guarantee of a bright future of Pakistan. The government will continue to allocate resources for such students,” he said.

The chief minister said that the students were capable of changing the course of the country’s history through their dedication and hard work. “Education is the key to progress. Provision of resources for the promotion of education is a useful investment. The government is implementing a comprehensive programme for the promotion of education in the province,” he said.

Financial assistance

The chief minister approved financial assistance of Rs0.6 million for prominent Seraiki poet Muhammad Shafi Shakir Shujaabadi. The poet is suffering from liver disease. He had appealed to the chief minister for financial help. This amount will be deposited in an account and Shujaabadi will be given a monthly stipend. A special medical board has also been constituted to treat him. The government will also bear his medical expenses.

The chief minister said that Shujaabadi was an eminent poet and had rendered commendable services for the promotion of Seraiki literature. “Poets like Muhammad Shafi Shakir Shujaabadi are a national asset,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 21^st, 2016.