A meeting of the Punjab Cabinet was held here today under the chair of Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. The meeting accorded approval to the budget proposals for the financial year 2017-18. It also approved revised estimates for the financial bill 2017. The cabinet praised the ministers of different departments, chief secretary, Chairman P&D, secretary finance and officers of the concerned departments. The meeting commended the performance, particularly, of the Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, chairman P&D, secretary finance and his team.
While addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that the largest development budget in the history of the province was being presented today. Record funds for different sectors including health, education and agriculture have been allocated, whereas billions of rupees have been reserved for the provision of clean drinking water for the people. Similarly, unusual steps have been proposed for the improvement of the social sector.
The chief minister said that historic steps are being taken for the prosperity of the farming community in the upcoming financial year. Meanwhile, the historic package has also been introduced for farmers in the federal budget. He added that special measures were being taken for the development and prosperity of southern Punjab. He said that record funds will be available for the prosperity of the people living in southern districts of the province. He hoped that the new budget would reflect the composite development in different areas.
