Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Sunday it was time the nation promoted solidarity, removed economic disparity, checked plunder of national resources and eliminated corruption.
Addressing the Independence Day flag-hoisting ceremony at Hazoori Bagh, Shahbaz said all the four provinces must move ahead with national thinking and steer the country out of the quagmire of problems. He said despite 63 years since independence, Pakistan had not yet become the country its forefathers had envisioned.
He said though Pakistan had achieved some success in the past, the biggest being nuclear technology, the list of its failures was long. He said although Pakistan was facing issues such as energy crisis, inflation, lawlessness, terrorism and corruption, it still had the chance to sustain and develop if the nation worked with honesty. He said the begging bowl and nuclear capability did not match and to achieve respect and move forward, it was necessary to get rid of dependence on other countries.
Earlier, the CM visited Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum and laid a floral wreath. He also offered fateha and recorded his impressions in the visitors’ book. Senior Adviser Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa, provincial ministers, members of national and provincial assemblies, diplomats, government officials and a large number of people were present on the occasion.
Separately, a ceremony was held at Civil Secretariat to celebrate Independence Day and award cash prizes and commendatory certificates to officers of various government departments showing outstanding performance. The Punjab CM was the chief guest on the occasion and gave prizes to 63 officers. Addressing the occasion, the CM said the Punjab government had set a new tradition by holding an award ceremony to encourage competent and hardworking officers.
He said while this step would encourage civil servants to show good performance, it would also motivate people to join public service. The CM said he had deep respect for officials who took keen interest in public service and completed welfare projects with responsibility. He advised the civil servants to work with honesty and live up to the expectations of the people.
Shahbaz highlighted the importance of collective efforts and said it was time that the nation worked with unity to ensure a bright future for the generations to come. He said Pakistan was going through the most critical period of its history, however, he was hopeful that the nation would tackle all problems with courage. “We must resolve on this day that we will work with commitment and dedication for national progress and prosperity,” said the CM.
Chief Secretary Nasir Mehmood Khosa, Inspector General Javed Iqbal, secretaries of various departments and a large number of civil servants were present on the occasion.
