Time to bring real change, says Punjab CM

Assures PTI is following policy of transparency

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said people who are engaged in criticism for the sake of criticism are not well-wishers of the country.

He was speaking to provincial ministers and MPAs on Thursday.

The chief minister said the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy to eradicate corruption from the country and will make a full effort to bring real change to Pakistan. He added that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was following the policy of merit and transparency. "Continuous hard work is being done to take the country out of a difficult situation and people will soon witness a prosperous and changed Pakistan."

Buzdar reviewed the progress of ongoing development schemes and the anti-encroachment drive in Punjab. He appreciated the efforts of Punjab Forest Minister Muhammad Sibtain Khan for speedily moving the tree plantation campaign forward. He also discussed issues related to the ongoing tree plantation drive and operation against land grabbers.

The chief minister reiterated that state land would be recovered from the clutches of squatters at any cost. The government will continue operations against land grabbers and encroachers and retrieve every inch of land. He said the powerful land grabbing mafia considered that state land as their booty, but the PTI government had taken strong action against it soon after coming into power. The CM boasted that thousands of kanals state land, worth billons of rupees, had been recovered. “Indiscriminate action will continue against the notorious group,” he underlined.

Buzdar said a tree plantation is a form of charity. “The government is promoting this campaign as a movement to benefit the people. A positive policy has been adopted to achieve targets and the clean and green Pakistan programme is moving forward with success. The plant for the Pakistan campaign is an important step towards promoting a green environment in the country as it will improve the natural habitat around us."

The chief minister said that nothing is more important than public welfare and national development. He added ordinary people will live a life of respect and honour in the new Pakistan. “People will soon enjoy a life of prosperity as ensuring the public welfare and national development is the first priority of the government. The country will be moved to the road to development soon by strengthening the national economy,” he added.

Meanwhile, Buzdar also presided over a high-level meeting on the provincial annual development programme (ADP) on Thursday. The meeting reviewed various development proposals for the remaining eight months of the current fiscal year. He said that the development of the social sector will be given particular importance in the annual development programme. Durable development of different sectors, including education, and clean drinking water, are priorities. He added a realistic ADP has been designed for these sectors. "Our annual development programme will fully portray the manifesto of the PTI and will also ensure the composite development of different areas of the province."

The chief minister said that priorities have been identified for the progress and prosperity of the people and such a development programme has been devised that would directly benefit the general public. Special attention would be paid to empower the youth, he said. "Youth are the vanguards of the PTI and launch of a special programme is being reviewed for their benefit. People living in southern Punjab and other less developed areas will be given their rights and more funds will be provided for the development of deprived areas."

He added consultations with assembly members will continued with regard to the ADP and cabinet meetings will be held at every divisional headquarter.

Provincial Finance Minister Hasham Jawan Bakht, Punjab chief secretary, Planning and Development department chairman, provincial secretary finance and other officials attended the meeting.