Punjab CM asserts the tough are about to get tougher

Says democracy is well on course and will not go off track

LAHORE: When the going gets tough, the tough get tougher, asserted Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif as he replied to a question over the political uncertainty in the country.

He was speaking at concession agreement signing ceremony for the construction of a dual carriageway between Sheikhupura and Gujranwala. Opening the floor to questions, the CM stressed that journalists should limit their question to the project at hand. He refused to answer any queries on the Panama scandal.



Contrary to Federal Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique’s earlier statement that there was a threat to the public mandate, the chief minister said that democracy was well on course and nobody wants to see it go off track.

Despite the hullabaloo surrounding the Panama scandal, the CM has shown all his political prowess and perfect timing when it comes to sharing thoughts over the ongoing political situation, Sunday was no different. Shehbaz said he would soon share his views over the whole Panamagate affair.

He did answer a question on Raymond Davis, saying the book of the CIA contractor, allegedly involved in the death of two Pakistanis, had clarified that his PML-N party or its leadership played role in the matter. He stressed that the matter should be investigated to determine who approached the family to give blood money and whose account was used.

Answering queries about Ahmedpur East tanker fire incident, the chief minister said each family of the deceased was provided financial assistance of Rs2 million, while the injured were given the best possible medical treatment.

He stressed it was wrong to talk about the lack of burn units in Punjab. Shehbaz added the burn unit in Multan was functional and is the best of its kind in the whole country. “Besides, the burn units of Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and other major cities are fully operational and providing the best treatment facilities to patients.

He also said those leveling allegations of there being no burn units should first peep into their own conscience and avoid making baseless claims.

Earlier, the CM spoke about the ‘dualisation’ of the carriageway between Sheikhupura and Gujranwala. Shehbaz said the 43-kilometre road was being constructed on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) mode. He said the company constructing the road would earn back its investment from toll charged from motorists. The project cost Rs5.75 billion and was scheduled for completion by June 30 2018, he added.



The Chief Minister said that land acquisition was completed at a cost of Rs1.25 billion. According to him, the project would have two toll plazas, one on each side. He said the concession agreement was for 25 years, meaning the construction company would collect a percentage of the toll during this period to cover its cost. It was also declared that the road would be repaired and maintained after every 10 years.

Shehbaz said the government had laid a special focus on the rural road programme by paving the tracks. He said that by the end of the current financial year, the government would have spent around Rs85 billion on the programme. It was also stated that a mechanism was being devised to ensure the timely repairs and maintenance of these roads.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 3^rd, 2017.