Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Friday solving the problems faced by Pakistanis living abroad was a responsibility of the state.
He said overseas Pakistanis were the country’s ambassadors and were playing a commendable role for strengthening economic foundations of Pakistan.
Talking to a delegation of overseas Pakistanis, the chief minister said the Punjab government had completed legislation for an autonomous commission in this regard.
He said progress would remain a distant dream for Pakistan if steps were not taken to curb terrorism.
He said Pakistan Army was playing a tremendous role in fighting the terrorists.
“Our soldiers are fighting for survival and stability of the country. They have made great progress in the war against terrorism,” he said.
He said the nation was proud of the courage, bravery and professionalism of its armed forces.
He said the Pakistani nation was united against terrorism and stood behind its army.
The chief minister said Pakistan Army was writing a new chapter in Pakistan’s history. He said their courage should be lauded.
He said Operation Zarb-i-Azb had yielded positive results and the day was not far when Pakistan would become “a haven of harmony and tranquillity.”
He said that terrorism and extremism had badly affected economic and trade activities and the economy had been crippled.
The chief minister said thousands of Pakistanis had laid down their lives in the war against terrorism.
He said it was lamentable that while the armed forces were engaged in a war against terrorism, some people were pursuing negative politics at a critical juncture in the country’s history.
“I urge those staging sit-ins to show maturity and wisdom in the larger interest of the country,” the chief minister added.
He said the Punjab government had taken up a number of development projects to address the problems faced by neglected segments of the society.
The chief minister said Daanish School System was playing an important role in provision of quality education to children from poor families.
He said scholarships were being given to talented students through the Punjab Educational Endowment Fund.
He said the youth were a precious asset of the country and the Punjab government had started a number of programmes for their empowerment.
He said a programme had been evolved for the provision of transport vehicles on soft terms to the unemployed youth under the Apna Rozgar Scheme.
The chief minister said that the scheme would also be implemented in a transparent manner and merit would be ensured.
He said the homeless were being given shelter through the Ashiyana Housing Project.
Boy falls in manhole, dies
The chief minister sought a report on Friday from the Sheikhupura district coordination officer (DCO) into the death of a two-year-old child who had fallen into a manhole.
The chief minister asked the DCO to investigate the matter. He said those responsible for leaving the manhole uncovered should be taken to task.
The chief minister also condoled with the family of the child.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 1st, 2014.
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