Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that national resources were looted mercilessly in the name of development projects under the former government, which obliged every Pakistani to hang his head in shame whereas those who were involved in corruption have joined the government and become ministers.
He said that if voice was not raised against corruption and plunder of resources and the society was not purged off this scourge, it could bring disaster to the country. He said that he wanted to salute the Supreme Court and Chief Justice of Pakistan for holding accountable those who got loans written off on political basis and were involved in corruption scandals. He said that corruption could be rooted out if all institutions played an effective role for this purpose. He said that if the written off loans and the looted money was recovered, there would be no need of the charity of outsiders. He said that Punjab government is utilising all available resources for the welfare of masses in a transparent manner. He said that Aashiyana Housing Project is a revolutionary programme of Punjab government, which will result in not only provision of modern residential facilities for the common man and the poor people but it was also an important step towards transforming Pakistan in accordance with the ideals of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal. He said that in the first phase of Aashiyana Housing Scheme in Lahore, 500 houses will be completed next month and handed over to lucky ones, while the Kalma Chowk project will also be completed by August 14.
He was addressing briefing meetings and talking to media after his visit to Aashiyana Housing Project and Kalma Chowk, here on Sunday. Chairman Punjab Land Development Company & Member Provincial Assembly Sheikh Alauddin and Commissioner Lahore Division gave briefing about Aashiyana Housing Project, while Secretary Communication & Works apprised the Chief Minister of the pace of progress on Kalma Chowk project. The Chief Minister said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has started the revolutionary project of low-cost housing scheme, first time in the country's history, for providing houses to the shelterless people. He said that after Lahore, work on Aashiyana Housing Scheme has also been started in Faisalabad, Sargodha, Sahiwal and Jehlum, while these schemes will also be initiated in Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan next year.
Shahbaz said that like Lahore, Aashiyana Housing Schemes will also be completed in other cities expeditiously so that houses equipped with modern residential facilities could be provided to the shelterless people as early as possible. He said that a welfare programme like Aashiyana Housing Project has been started, first time in the 63 years' history of the country for the benefit of the poor, orphans, disabled and the families of the martyrs so that they could have a feelings that they also have a right over national resources and are as much Pakistani as anyone else. He directed District Co-ordination Officers of Faisalabad, Jehlum, Sahiwal and Sargodha who were also present on the occasion to adopt Aashiyana Housing Project of Lahore as a role model and ensure timely and quality completion of Aashiyana Housing Schemes in their respective districts. He expressed his complete satisfaction over the pace of work, standard and provision of infrastructure in Aashiyana Housing Scheme, Saroba Attari. He directed Commissioner Lahore Division to consider launching of bus service for the benefit of the residents of Aashiyana Housing Scheme. He further directed that it should be ensured that citizens and shopkeepers should not face any problem during construction of link road from Ferozpur Road. He said that Aashiyana Housing Scheme is meant for the poor and the common man, therefore, after transparent balloting, special committees comprising government officials, Akhuwat representatives and students are scrutinising the particulars of the winners in the draw so that only deserving persons rather than profiteers and speculators could get houses in these schemes.
Shahbaz further said that corruption has shaken the foundations of the country and loot, plunder and nepotism were promoted under the former rulers. He said that Punjab Bank was robbed off Rs 75 billion while Rs 6 billion were looted from NICL. He said that media should play its role for the promotion of clean politics and raise its voice against loot of national resources so that such elements as were involved in such practices could be exposed. He said that Pakistan Muslim League-N believes in democratic traditions and has played its role for strengthening the norms of democracy. He said that contrary to this, the rulers of the near past trampled democratic values and won the loyalties of the members of other political parities by rewarding them with ministries. He said that Muslim League-N has always strived for promotion of democratic values and the Unification Group had also voluntarily announced not to take any ministry or privilege. Replying to a question, the Chief Minister said that instead of jugglery of figures, the budget should be aimed at the betterment of the common man, uplift of agriculture and industrial sectors, provision of health and education facilities to the masses and launching of welfare projects like Aashiyana Housing Scheme.
Earlier, the Chief Minister visited Kalma Chowk and reviewed the pace of work on the project. Chairman P&D, Secretary C&W, DG LDA & DG PHA, Commissioner and DCO Lahore, senior officers of NLC and NESPAK were present on the occasion. Addressing the briefing meeting, the Chief Minister said that the pace and standard of work on Kalma Chowk is unprecedented and the project will be completed by August 14. He appreciated the performance of the entire team engaged in the project and directed that the project should be beautified through horticulture. He also issued instructions for presenting him a plan within two weeks for making signal-free corridors at various places. Secretary C&W, Major Azam Salman (Retd), while giving a briefing about the pace of work on Kalma Chowk informed that the first flyover will be completed by July 15 after which the work on the other flyover will be further accelerated and the project will be completed within the stipulated period.
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