LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that Ramazan Package worth Rs5 billion has been announced to provide the people quality essential items at concessionary rate during the month while 360 Ramzan Bazaars would also be set up across the province.
Presiding over a high-level meeting regarding Ramazan Package, he said that flour bags would be available at cheaper rates in Ramazan Bazaars while other items of daily use will also be provided at concessionary rate. He said that 2,000 Madni Dastarkhawan will be set up at Sehri and Aftari to facilitate the fasting people. He said that in order to provide relief to the common man, all provincial ministers and secretaries would pay regular visits to Razaman Bazaars. He directed that arrangements for Ramazan Bazaars be completed before the arrival of the holy month. He further directed that for the purpose of lowering the price of ghee and meat and eggs, ghee mill owners and poultry association be contacted so that availability of these items could be ensured at lower rate during Ramazan. He said that availability of quality essential items at the fixed price in Ramazan Bazaars will be ensured at any cost.
Shahbaz said that no compromise will be made on the quality and prices of daily use items and in case of any complaint in this regard, district administration will be held accountable. He said that district monitoring committees will visit Ramazan Bazaars and monitor the quality and prices of essential items. He directed that district monitoring committees be delegated powers of magistracy. He also issued instructions for making best arrangements for security and parking in Ramazan Bazaars. He said that the departments concerned should play an active role to ensure the masses fully benefit the Ramazan Package.
The CM said that provision of relief to the people was a national and religious responsibility. He said district presidents and office-bearers of the PML-N should also pay visits to Ramazan Bazaars and play their due role for providing relief to the citizens. He said that only the poor people have the right over subsidy and should fully be facilitated. He said that the problems of the poor masses could not be realised while sitting in air-conditioned rooms, and practical efforts will have to be made for the provision of relief to the poor. He directed that the cabinet committee should finalise arrangements at the earliest for the implementation of Ramazan Package.
The Secretary Industries briefed the meeting regarding the action plan for the provision of relief to the masses during Ramazan-ul-Mubarrak. He said that arrangements had been finalised for the establishment of 360 Ramzan Bazaars and fair price shops in the province, while digital monitoring system had also been evolved for monitoring of Ramazan Bazaars.
MNA Hamza Shahbaz, Provincial Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Rana Mashhood Ahmed, Muhammad Shafique, Bilal Yasin, Dr Farrukh Javed, Chief Secretary and other officials concerned attended the meeting.
SHERAZI BROTHERS CALL ON CM: Sherazi Brothers of Sindh called on Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif here on Wednesday and discussed the country’s overall political situation.  Those who met the chief minister included Member National Assembly Ayaz Ali Shah Sherazi, Member Provincial Assembly Syed Ijaz Ali Shah Sherazi, former MNA Syed Shafqat Hussain Shah Sherazi and PML-N Thatta vice president Haji Hanif Memon.
On the occasion, the CM said that the country was facing challenges like terrorism and energy crisis; however, the PML-N government was determined to cope with all these problems. He said that the country will be steered out of all problems under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and added that all political forces and entire nation will have to stand united on one platform for this purpose.
Shahbaz said that the country’s economic situation was improving due to the solid measures taken by the government. He said that foreign investors had expressed full confidence in the PML-N government and a number of foreign companies were investing in Pakistan. He said that service to the masses and welfare of the people was the agenda of the PML-N government.