Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting here on Monday in which progress on Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme was reviewed. Secretary Communication and Works gave a briefing regarding pace of progress of the project. Addressing a meeting, the Chief Minister said that Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme is of key importance in the development of rural economy.
He said that billions of rupees will be spent on construction and rehabilitation of rural roads of the whole province under this programme in next three years. He said that Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme will bring a new era of progress and prosperity in rural areas and this revolutionary programme of construction and rehabilitation of roads will change the livening standard of the rural people besides promote trade, economic and social activities. He said that this historic project of Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads is a unique example of public service. He said that it is the biggest and a unique project in the 68 years history of the country and has been started for the progress and prosperity of rural areas.
He said that modern and quality infrastructure results in speedy development. The Chief Minister said that Punjab government has included infrastructure development among its top priorities and the big project of Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme will result in improvement in rural infrastructure. He said that the project of construction and rehabilitation of rural roads is very important and has to be furthered speedily. He said that transparency, standard and speedy completion of development project is the policy of Punjab government and Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme will be completed under the same policy.
Shahbaz Sharif said that besides construction and rehabilitation of rural roads, their protection and maintenance is also necessary and effective mechanism is essential for maintenance of rural roads after their construction and rehabilitation. He said that for the purpose of protection of roads, necessary measures should be taken to control overloading. He said that no compromise will be made on the standard of this splendid project of public welfare. He said that institutions will have to improve their capacity for the real service of the masses.
He said that private sector associated with construction should play its role in the implementation of Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme. He said that separate authority will be set up for the implementation of the project and it will be executed speedily. Provincial Ministers Tanvir Aslam Malik, Dr Farrukh Javed, Members Provincial Assembly, Chairman Planning and Development, concerned secretaries, senior authorities of Punjab Information Technology Board and NESPAK as well as concerned officers attended the meeting.