Foreign firms will have to hire Pakistani laborers: Chohan

BAHAWALPUR: Punjab Minister for Information, Fayaz-Ul-Hassan Chohan Saturday said that foreign companies investing in Pakistan would have to hire Pakistani labor instead bringing manpower from their own country, adding that legislation would be made in this regard soon.

He was addressing a news conference here, after attending meeting of Punjab cabinet that was held at Islamia University Bahawalpur premises to review issue of demarcation of proposed Southern Punjab province and other issues.

He said that huge investment was being made in Pakistan by Chinese and other foreign companies. “Huge investment is being made in Pakistan under China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) project,” he said, adding that several foreign firms had also been heading towards Pakistan to invest in different sectors.

He, however, said the government wanted all these foreign companies to hire and avail local labor of Pakistan instead bringing it from their own countries. “Legislation will be made soon to make the foreign companies bound to hire local Pakistan laborers for their projects in Pakistan,” he said.

He said that Punjab Power Development Board Act bill also be presented in the Punjab Assembly. He said the government was going to take measures to introduce modern technology on water in the province.

He said that data on water would be collected from all areas of Punjab to make water policy. “We are going to form Punjab Water Policy to resolve issues pertaining to water,” he said.

Regarding to lifting ban on jobs, he said that jobs would be given to unemployed youth including disabled persons. “Quota of disabled persons in government jobs would remain and disabled persons would also be given jobs in government departments,” he said.

He said that the government would form a uniform policy regarding vehicles in government departments. “Government vehicles will be given to the officials in accordance with their designation,” he said.

He said that incumbent Punjab government took steps for welfare of people of the province within last four years which could not taken by previous governments even during last 100 years.

He said that the former chief minister of Punjab was a ‘drama man’ who used to throw mike in press conferences. He said that PTI-led government took actions against all mafias including Zardari mafia.

He said that former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif will listen to songs from Dilshad Begam on phone in prison. “Nawaz and Zardari will have to live in jail as they have no role in future politics,” he said.

He said that 172 names were placed in Exit Control List (ECL) as measures to take action against money laundering and corruption. “No one will be given NRO as no deal will be made,” he said.