Provision of potable water among top priorities of govt: Shehbaz

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  • CM visits residences of late Asma Jahangir, Rana Muhammad Nisar Khan for condolence

  • Calls on Chinese Consul General, discusses progress on CPEC

  • Condemns firing on security officials’ vehicle in Quetta

 

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that he would continue his efforts till the provision of clean drinking water to every citizen of the province. Provision of potable water, education and healthcare facilities, as well as development projects for the welfare of the people, were the top priorities of the Punjab government, he added.

Expressing these views while presiding a high-level meeting, the chief minister also said that the programme launched for the provision of clean drinking water was very important as lives of millions of people were inextricably linked with it. He said that clean drinking water projects were being completed on a priority basis in every city of the province including Lahore. He also said that he was utilising all his capabilities and available resources to provide best treatment facilities to the people.

“My team members and I are working day and night for the purpose,” he said and added that high-quality medicines, latest medical equipment and the provision of best facilities was being ensured in all the hospitals of Punjab.

The chief minister said that a foolproof system for disposing of the hospital waste would also be ensured and a composite hospital waste system was being introduced in all the public sector hospitals across the province.

“I salute the government officials who work hard to serve the masses, but will never tolerate any negligence in the public welfare projects on any level. Every person deputed to serve the masses will have to answer for his or her duties,” said Shehbaz.

Provincial ministers Rana Sanaullah, Begum Zakiya Shahnawaz, Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Khawaja Imran Nazir, Shaikh Allahuddin, Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan, chief secretary, concerned provincial secretaries and other officers were also present on the occasion.

CM DISCUSSES PROGRESS ON CPEC, PAK-CHINA RELATIONS WITH CHINESE CONSUL GENERAL:

Punjab chief minister on Wednesday visited the Chinese Consulate and met Chinese Consul General Long Dingbin. During the meeting, different matters of mutual interest including Pak-China relations and progress on CPEC related projects came under discussion. The chief minister wished the Chinese consul general on the start of the new Chinese Year. He also extended well wishes to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the prime minister, the leadership of the Communist Party of China as well as the Chinese people.

On the occasion, the Chinese consul general said that Shehbaz had set a record by completing different projects with unprecedented speed. The Chinese leadership also acknowledged the hard work of the Punjab chief minister, he said while adding that CPEC projects had been promoted in a transparent manner and were an example of its own. China was standing alongside Pakistan in the journey to development, he said.

Shehbaz said that Pak-China relations had turned into strong economic ties and bilateral relations between both the countries and were touching new heights in the present era. He appreciated the fact that the Chinese leadership had proved its friendship by supporting Pakistan in every hour of trial.

He also said that the Pakistani economy had been strengthened due to Chinese investments and that not only Pakistan but the whole region would benefit from CPEC, which was a project of development and prosperity.

No conspiracy could encumber the CPEC and due to the completion of energy projects, Pakistan had rid itself of the darkness of load-shedding, concluded Shehbaz.

Chinese consul general also hosted a banquet in honour of the Punjab chief minister.

CM VISITS RESIDENCE OF LATE ASMA JAHANGIR FOR CONDOLENCE:

Earlier, Punjab chief minister visited the residence of renowned lawyer and former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association Asma Jahangir. He expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and offered Fateha for the departed soul.

Shehbaz paid tribute to her for maintaining the rule of law and supremacy of the constitution in the country. He said that the late Asma Jahangir made practical efforts for the protection of rights of women and vulnerable communities. She also played an important role in the movement for an independent judiciary.

Asma strived all her life for the protection of human rights and her services in the field of law and human rights would always be remembered, concluded the chief minister.

CM VISITS PHOOLNAGAR TO CONDOLE DEATH OF MNA HAYAT KHAN’s FATHER:

CM Shehbaz on Wednesday visited the residence of MNA Rana Muhammad Hayat Khan in Lambay Jagir area of Phoolnagar.

He offered his condolences over the death of Rana Muhammad Nisar Khan, father of MNAs Rana Muhammad Hayat Khan and Rana Muhammad Ishaq Khan, paternal uncle of Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan and paternal grandfather of Kasur District Council Chairman Rana Sikandar Hayat Khan.

Shehbaz expressed his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family said that the late Rana Muhammad Nisar Khan served the people dedicatedly and his socio-economic services would never be forgotten.

“Rana Muhammad Nisar was a popular figure who will always be missed. I am deeply saddened by his death and I pray to Almighty Allah that may he grant courage to the deceased’s family to bear the loss with equanimity,” he said.

CM CONDEMNS FIRING ON SECURITY OFFICIALS’ VEHICLE IN QUETTA:

The chief minister strongly condemned the incident of firing on the vehicle of security officials on Saryab Road in Quetta.

He expressed grief over the martyrdom of the security officials and said that the martyred officials were the nations’ heroes and the whole nation saluted those who sacrificed their lives for the motherland.

Shehbaz said that coward activities of the terrorists could not weaken the determination of the Pakistani nation and the terrorists were enemies of humanity. He reiterated that Pakistan would be purged of all sorts of terrorism with the power of unity.