Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday presided over a video conference from London which reviewed in detail priorities and suggestions with regard to next year’s budget.
The chief minister said that forthcoming budget will be people-friendly and will reflect aspirations of the masses. He said that budget will be poor-friendly and no burden will be put on the common man. He said that provision of facilities to the masses and speedy development of the province will be pivot of the budget.
He said that additional resources of billions of rupees will be allocated in the budget for health, education, water supply and other social sectors. He said that promotion of quality education is essential for economic development and coping with challenges being faced by the country. All out resources will be utilised for this purpose, he said. He said that effective steps will be taken during the next fiscal year for promotion of quality education in the province.
He said that special attention will be paid to the development of backward and remote areas and uplift schemes will be executed in these areas on priority basis. The chief minister said that like previous years, more funds than the ratio of population will be earmarked for the progress of south Punjab, adding that the government will continue the process of provision of modern facilities to the people of these areas at their doorstep.
Shehbaz said that the new budget will usher in an era of rapid economic progress and completion of mega projects during the next year will result in prosperity of masses. He said that funds are a trust of the nation and every penny of public money is being spent in a transparent manner for the provision of basic amenities to the people. He said that honesty and hard work is the motto of the present leadership and the process of public service will continue under this spirit. He said that development agenda is being actively implemented for raising the living standard of the common man and resources have been diverted towards betterment of deprived segments of the society.
The chief minister said that the progress of backward and remote areas is an important element of the budget and additional funds are being allocated for uplift schemes in these areas. He said that special attention is also being paid to the provision of basic amenities to the citizens and billions of rupees are being allocated for health, education, water supply and other welfare projects.
He said that there is a need for strengthening of agriculture sector and revolutionary steps are being taken for the uplift of agriculture sector and betterment of cultivators. He said that an unprecedented agriculture package of Rs 100 billion has been given for next two years for increasing per acre yield and prosperity of farmers. He said that additional funds will be allocated for improvement of social sectors while provision of modern facilities to the common man will be ensured in the real sense.
The chief minister further said that resolving of energy crisis and elimination of loadshedding is the mission of the government and all out efforts are being made for its achievement. He said that the completion of power projects will be given due importance in the next budget. He said that modern infrastructure plays a vital role in the promotion of economic, social and business activities and huge funds will be allocated in the budget for construction projects and rehabilitation of roads.
He further said that substantial funds are being allocated in the budget for the maintenance of law and order. He said that the new budget will result in the progress and prosperity of masses.
Provincial Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Punjab chief secretary, planning and development chairman, finance secretary and officials concerned participated in the meeting through video link from the chief minister’s secretariat.
