Early, free and fair elections needed: Shahbaz Sharif
Shahbaz speaks at forum organised for discussion, collection of recommendations for good governance.
LAHORE:
Need of the hour is early and free and fair elections to strengthen the democracy in Pakistan, said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday.
Sharif was addressing the Punjab Governance Forum organised by the Institutional Reform Group (IRG) to discuss and collect recommendations regarding governance-related issues.
The Punjab chief minister said that to ensure good governance in Punjab, third party audit was introduced in all departments since corruption was deep-rooted in the system. He admitted that the government is not in a position to hold each and every corrupt person accountable, but it’s making efforts to improve the public sector in this regard.
Speaking about Danish schools, Sharif said the scheme would prevent children belonging to poor families from falling victim to militant groups. He said that his government is trying to fix the problems in the system, however, class difference is a great hurdle. “Danish schools are a ray of hope in the right direction; it is the government’s responsibility to provide good education, health and sanitation to the masses,” Sharif said, recalling the responsibility outlined under the Constitution.
Commenting on the issue of drone strikes in the northern areas of Pakistan, Sharif said that the Punjab government welcomes friendly foreign aid but not at the cost of innocent people who become target of drones attacks.
“We are not beggars and we will always protest against the drone attacks,” he reiterated.
The Punjab chief minister also spoke about the Punjab Skill Development Programme established by the Punjab government to promote art among the youth. “It will result in skilled labour and ensure a respectable source of income for many,” he said
Need of the hour is early and free and fair elections to strengthen the democracy in Pakistan, said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday.
Sharif was addressing the Punjab Governance Forum organised by the Institutional Reform Group (IRG) to discuss and collect recommendations regarding governance-related issues.
The Punjab chief minister said that to ensure good governance in Punjab, third party audit was introduced in all departments since corruption was deep-rooted in the system. He admitted that the government is not in a position to hold each and every corrupt person accountable, but it’s making efforts to improve the public sector in this regard.
Speaking about Danish schools, Sharif said the scheme would prevent children belonging to poor families from falling victim to militant groups. He said that his government is trying to fix the problems in the system, however, class difference is a great hurdle. “Danish schools are a ray of hope in the right direction; it is the government’s responsibility to provide good education, health and sanitation to the masses,” Sharif said, recalling the responsibility outlined under the Constitution.
Commenting on the issue of drone strikes in the northern areas of Pakistan, Sharif said that the Punjab government welcomes friendly foreign aid but not at the cost of innocent people who become target of drones attacks.
“We are not beggars and we will always protest against the drone attacks,” he reiterated.
The Punjab chief minister also spoke about the Punjab Skill Development Programme established by the Punjab government to promote art among the youth. “It will result in skilled labour and ensure a respectable source of income for many,” he said