Zero-tolerance against delay, says Shahbaz

Shahbaz Sharif further said in the light of decision taken for the audit of local bodies in the province, audit of 74 TMAs had been conducted so far and financial irregularities of Rs 13 billion had been detected during a period of only one and a half years. “This amply demonstrates the loot and plunder by the former government. These institutions indulged in embezzlement of billions of rupees in utter disregard to rules and regulations and the nation will not forgive us if we did not take action against the guilty persons,” he maintained

He also directed Chief Secretary Punjab Javed Mehmood to form a committee to scrutinise the projects of local body institutions at the district level so that malpractices in these projects could be exposed.

“Public funds will be spent only on the people and those who have misappropriated the hard-earned money of the people will have to return the looted amount,” he said adding the corruption would have to be rooted out from the society for rapid development and coming up to the expectations of the people. Nawaz Sharif said the Minister for Local Government would give further details to the Press within a few days regarding irregularities in the financial affairs of local bodies.

He appreciated ministers and administrative secretaries on their comprehensive briefing regarding concerned departments.