LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that national resources had been spent on facilitating rulers and the elite class while the poor and deprived segments of the society had been completely ignored during the last 64 years.
However, he said, the PML-N government had diverted funds towards the projects aimed at improving the living standard of the common people and provision of amenities to the neglected masses.
He was addressing different meetings to review development projects at his Minar-e-Pakistan Tent Office on Sunday.
Assembly members, provincial secretaries, heads of development agencies, Lahore Commissioner, DCO, NLC and NESPAK authorities as well as senior officers were present in the meetings. The chief minister said that work was speedily in progress on the glorious project of metro bus service and its completion would result in comfortable and speedy transport facilities to the masses besides giving a new identity to the City.
He directed that smooth supply of water to the citizens be ensured at any cost and there should be no complaint in this regard.
He said that modern infrastructure was essential for promotion of economic and trade activities as well as for rapid development, therefore, the Punjab government was spending huge resources on infrastructure development in the province. He said that a network of roads, bridges and underpasses was being laid in the province.
While reviewing the track of metro bus service from Niazi Chowk to Shahdara, the chief minister directed that the project of construction of an additional bridge on the Ravi River should also be evolved in view of the future needs and negotiations with NHA authorities should be held for this purpose. He said that the design of the proposed bridge should be excellent and eye-catching.
Meanwhile, the chief minister inspected metro bus service project from Kahna to Bhatti Chowk, early in the morning, and was given a briefing regarding the project at Lahore Bridge, Kalma Chowk, Lytton Road and other spots.
During a briefing regarding additional bridge along the Lahore Bridge on Ferozepur Road, he directed that construction work of the additional bridge should be completed by August 14.
While reviewing construction work of the drain in Dharampura, he gave instructions to Wasa to complete the work as early as possible. Expressing his extreme indignation over the delay in the completion of the sewerage system on Allama Iqbal Road, he said that development projects were evolved to facilitate the people and not for their inconvenience.
He said that the officers responsible for delay in the projects should find some other job. He said that he would monitor welfare projects on daily basis. He further directed that while undertaking development activities it should be ensured that citizens do not have to face problems.
Addressing a meeting regarding provision of potable water to the people, Shahbaz Sharif directed that uninterrupted supply of water should be ensured to the citizens so that they do not face any problem in the extreme hot weather. He further directed that all tube-wells and generators should be in working condition and the process of water supply to the people should be closely supervised.