By: Bilal Kanjal
- PM had visited Layyah before last elections, delivered nothing but announcements
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif previously visited Layyah before last elections, making tall claims while delivering nothing. In different rallies, he opened the mouth of wealth but in Layyah he only had announcements to offer. Elections are close, the PM is in Layyah and, again, the same announcements are being made.
The premier visited Layyah on April 26, 2013, just 15 days before elections. He announced in his speech that everyone should be ready as the government will open such banks which will provide cheap loans to everyone, and the people who have degrees will be given jobs. “The destiny of people will change,” he had said then. Announcements about carton industry, small factories, bridge and roads were made. He also gave the dream of motorway in Layyah. But on the ground nothing is being done at all.
People of Layyah trusted him and brought him to power. After attaining power, he never gave a chance to Layyah, not a single one of his announcements came true.
Elections are near yet again and the party is on the ground preparing itself for elections. The PM again visited Layyah and laid the foundation of an already announced project of Taunsa bridge—the project was originally announced some 30 years ago when he was Punjab chief minister in 1988.
It seems that in Layyah, 30 years are needed for an announcement to turn into something concrete.
In 1988, he announced the opening of the university as well, but it has not yet seen the light of the day. Another announcement was about green health cards for that city as the city has no standard hospital. According to sources, these health cards have already been announced some four months ago by CM Shehbaz Sharif. In 2008, when Shahbaz Sharif became the Punjab CM, Rs 70 crore, which were awarded to Layyah for a hospital, were withdrawn and invested in Lahore instead. He also announced the gas connection for Chowk Azam, Karor and Feteh Pur during his speech.
Furthermore, according to sources, in order to maintain discipline in the rally, teachers from schools were brought in as participants.
The problems of Layyah are as it is. The major reason for the backwardness of Layyah is the lacking of highway. When Layyah came into beings in 1984 patients were referred to Multan and now they are also referred to Nishtar Hospital Multan. Despite many attempts through calls and messages, DC Layyah Wajid Ali Shah didn’t response to any attempt.
When contacted, PML-N MNA Syed Saqlain Shah Bukhari said that announcement of Taunsa bridge has never been made before today; in 1988 it was just a demand of the people and, in response, the then CM showed agreement.
In response to another question about green health cards, he said that when CM Shehbaz Sharif had announced these health cards, the city was not included.
