Upholding the mandate: Shahbaz says no room for the corrupt

Provincial cabinet meets for the first time.

LAHORE:

The performance of provincial ministers would be reviewed on a monthly basis and only those who served people sincerely would remain in the cabinet, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif told the first cabinet meeting held in the Committee Room of the Civil Secretariat, on Wednesday.

Sharif said he would act in consultation with his ministers. Corruption was never tolerated nor would be in the future, he said.

The provincial ministers, special assistants, an advisor, the chief secretary, the Planning and Development Board chairman, the acting inspector general police and secretaries of various departments attended the meeting.

Sharif said his previous government had made sincere efforts to resolve people’s issues, promote merit and eradicate corruption, poverty and unemployment.



While there were more problems than resources, Sharif said, his government would take concrete measures to solve the problems. The entire country grieved over terrorist attacks that had marred the election campaign, Sharif said.

Solid policies were needed to improve the living standards of the people. “If we work hard, honestly and responsibly, we will surely succeed,” said Sharif.

“The national institutions lie in ruins, we have been given the responsibility of restoring them,” he said.

Sharif said if political leaders and other influential people set personal examples of simplicity and honesty, the rest would follow them. “We must bring reform through our deeds,” Sharif said. The culture of nepotism, corruption and favouritism needed to end, he said, the rule of law must prevail.

While corruption could not be eliminated in its entirety, it could be controlled through regulation and law enforcement, said Sharif. “If Erdogan could put Turkey back on the map, we can bring prosperity to Pakistan as well,” he said.

Pakistan could reach new heights of progress through hard work only.

Sharif requested the ministers to work hard. Shortcomings in all departments’ work should be removed. The ministers and heads of departments would have to play constructive roles to achieve their targets.

The mandate granted to the Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz necessitated hard work to provide relief to people. “Ministers have been empowered,” said Sharif, “We can only help people through unwavering commitment.”

“People have lauded our performance in the previous tenure,” he said, “We must work with greater devotion and sincerity.” Transparency, meritocracy and sincerity have replaced corruption and plunder. The Punjab government would set a new example for other provinces to follow.

He encouraged the ministers not to stay confined to their offices and to visit other districts frequently.

Sharif said the ministers and the government would have to work hard to meet the expectations of the people.

“We must pledge to serve people, be punctual, reject corruption and nepotism at the police, patwari and tehsildar levels,” he said, “That is how we can bring about revolutionary change in health, education and other sectors.”

The ministers said they would work hard to justify the confidence reposed in them and spare no efforts in helping people. They assured Sharif that they would extend complete cooperation and achieve the targets set forth for them.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 13^th, 2013.