Public affairs: Progress inextricably linked with democracy says Shahbaz

Irrigation minister says Rs35 billion has been allocated for developmental projects

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Sunday that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz had always strived to serve the public.

He was speaking to a delegation of PML-N officials and activists. Sharif said the government had been trying to overcome the energy crisis, alleviate poverty and reduce unemployment. The chief minister said work on energy projects was being completed urgently. He said national progress and prosperity were inextricably linked with democracy.

Sharif said the country would only develop if national institutions were strengthened. He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had made a pivotal contribution towards strengthening the democratic process. The chief minister said the PML-N had used its mandate to ensure public welfare. He said Pakistan would overcome the challenges confronting it. Sharif said the party had eminent experts at the helm of economic affairs.

He said the PML-N had placed the country on a sound economic footing and improvements witnessed in the state of the economy were a testament to the success of its policies. Sharif said the people had voted the PML-N to power to resolve the problems Pakistan had been grappling with. He said the party had selflessly served the public for six years.

Sharif said the government had undertaken several development projects across the Punjab. He said the government had devoted billions of rupees towards the completion of infrastructural projects. Sharif said the government had allocated billions of rupees for the provision of quality education and health facilities. He said the Punjab would emerge as a model province under the leadership of the PML-N. Sharif said the party would set an exemplary precedent of public service during its tenure.

He said the PML-N was striving to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state. The delegation members expressed their confidence in the leadership of Nawaz Sharif. They said Pakistan would overcome the challenges confronting it. They said the chief minister had served the Punjab selflessly and it was benefiting from the policies implemented by his government.

Separately, Irrigation Minister Yawar Zaman said the government had allocated Rs35 billion for development projects during the current fiscal year.

He said the projects had been undertaken for the promotion of agriculture. Zaman was speaking to a delegation of farmers at his residence. Several lawmakers were also present on the occasion.

He said Rs6.725 billion were being spent on the New Khanki Barrage Project. Zaman said Rs110 million had been allocated for the Tirimu Barrage and the Punjnad Headworks. He said Rs2.4 billion were being spent on lining canals over 400 kilometres.

Zaman said Rs4.175 billion were being spent on rehabilitating the Lower Bari Doab Canal. He said the government had allocated Rs2 billion for the construction of small dams in Potohar. Zaman said this would help farmers overcome water problems.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th, 2014.