LAHORE: The equitable distribution of resources, elimination of corruption and curbing police injustices is essential for setting up a peaceful society, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Thursday.
He made these comments while addressing a large gathering of people after the distribution of vouchers of free fertilizers, seeds and quilts among the flood victims in Esa Khel in Mianwali district. The CM said that it was unfortunate that the poor, backward regions were the worst affected by the floods.
Therefore, he said, the Punjab government had diverted all its resources towards the rehabilitation and uplift of these areas. He said that there was a need for taking guidance from the eternal message of Islam, which guaranteed a peaceful and prosperous society. The CM said that Islam had termed the murder of one human being equal to murdering the entire human race.
But unfortunately, innumerous human beings were being killed in the name of religion. He said that civic amenities, which were so far considered only the right of urban areas were being provided in the model villages being set up by the Punjab government with the cooperation of welfare organisations and philanthropists.
Model village: He said that philanthropists and welfare organizations have promised to construct about 8,000 houses in the flood devastated areas of Punjab at a cost of Rs. 2.5 billion. He also announced the setting up of a model village in Mianwali and the village for this purpose would be selected through balloting.
On this occasion, the CM announced the inclusion of flood-affected Esa Khel tehsil’s Nullah Broch and River Kuram in the command area of Irrigation Department and said that protective dykes and embankments would be constructed in the area.
Meeting: Separately, Markazi Jamiat-e-Ahle Hadis Pakistan chief Senator Professor Sajid Mir met Shahbaz at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat and discussed the ongoing relief and rehabilitation activities for the flood victims among a host of other issues.
Talking to the senator, the CM said that the worst-ever floods in the country’s history had caused large-scale devastation and millions of people had been rendered homeless, while property worth billions of rupees had been destroyed. He said that the Punjab government was implementing a comprehensive plan for the relief and rehabilitation of flood victims.
The Punjab CM said that the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia and other friendly countries had raised the morale of the government and the people of Pakistan by visiting the devastated areas.
