— CM directs high officials to improve, personally monitor security situation in province
LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that southern Punjab had always been given priority in health, education, infrastructure, transport and other sectors, and the people of Bahawalpur had honoured the PML-N with their trust and affection.
Addressed the workers convention in Bahawalpur through video-link from Lahore, the chief minister said that the love and affection were not one-way as the PML-N leadership loved the people of Bahawalpur back and the Punjab government had spent a huge amount of Rs70 billion for the development of the district within the past nine years.
“Around Rs50 billion was spent for the development and prosperity of the Bahawalpur district during the past five years alone,” added Shehbaz.
He apologised to the participants of the event for being unable to visit Bahawalpur owing to the inclement weather and said that despite repeated insistences, the pilots refused to fly to Bahawalpur in such weather conditions.
“By the grace of Allah, I shall be there soon to personally meet you and to discuss all matters in detail. You will also be consulted with regard to the restoration of Bahawalpur province,” he said.
Shehbaz said that the people of Bahawalpur had played an unforgettable role in the creation of Pakistan and had also proactively performed their duties in economic activities to boost the national development process.
“The PML-N government has driven the country towards stability and Pakistan is successfully moving from instability to peace, poverty to prosperity and from darkness to illumination,” said the chief minister and added that the government had sincerely strived for national development.
The workers convention was attended by Senator Saud Majeed, Federal Minister Baleeghur Rehman, Provincial Ministers Malik Iqbal Channar, Chaudhry Muhammad Shafiq, Chaudhry Muhammad Naeem Bhaba, several parliamentarians and a large number of office-bearers as well as workers of the PML-N.
Separately, the chief minister directed the officials concerned to improve and personally monitor the security situation across the province.
CM Shehbaz issued these directives while presiding over a high-level meeting to review the security arrangements in Punjab.
He made it clear that no leniency of any kind in terms of security arrangements would be tolerated adding that the agencies concerned should perform their duties diligently.
The meeting was attended by Advisor Rana Maqbool Ahmad, chief secretary, additional chief secretary (ACS), inspector general of police and other officials concerned.
