CM scoffs at opposition’s threat

Boasts of era of monumental development in South Punjab

DERA GHAZI KHAN:

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said there is no threat to the government from the opposition and it will complete its term under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Addressing a meeting of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) officials and lawmakers, he said the ‘unnatural alliance’ of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) had met its logical end. The chief minister said the opposition was busy only in creating an uproar.

He said that all districts of Punjab had been equally involved in the journey of development. A district development package of Rs360 billion has been provided for equitable development. In the past, districts like Rajanpur were offered false promises instead of development.

For the first time in history, the PTI government had allocated more than 35 per cent of the provincial development budget to South Punjab, he said, adding that the previous rulers had given only 17% of the funds to the region.

The chief minister asserted that the South Punjab Secretariat had been set up and a monumental era of reconstruction and development of the region had begun. National Assembly Member Sardar Nasrullah Dareshak, Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Khan Mazari, Provincial Livestock Minister Sardar Hasnain Bahadur Dareshak, Adviser Hanif Pitafi and other leaders were present on the occasion.

The chief minister also visited the mausoleum of Khawaja Ghulam Farid and laid the foundation stone of a conservation and development project to provide facilities to the devotees.

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He announced that Rs70 million would be spent on providing facilities to the devotees visiting the shrine. The chief minister said the construction and conservation project of Darbar Khawaja Ghulam Farid should be completed as soon as possible. The mausoleum will be preserved in its original condition.

In addition to complete renovation, the establishment of a library, construction of an ablution facility and entrances of the shrine and expansion of its courtyard are included in the project.

Buzdar said the saint had influenced the people with his character and moral values, and taught brotherhood. He laid a wreath at the shrine and prayed for the security of the country and the nation.

The chief minister also attended a Mehfil-e-Sama during his visit. Khawaja Amir Farid Korija pre sented him a copy of Dewan-e-Farid. Provincial Adviser Hanif Pitafi, MPA Khurram Khan Leghari and the mausoleum’s Sajjada Nasheen Khawaja Moinuddin Korija were among those present on the occasion.

CM Buzdar also attended the Valima reception of the son of Punjab Land Record Authority Chairman Sardar Ahmed Dareshk in Rajanpur.

Meanwhile, Punjab government spokesman Hasaan Khawar said while speaking to the media in Lahore that its resolve to eradicate corruption would not be affected by any rally, meeting, or long march of the opposition.