Individual approach can never lead to national development: Shehbaz

— CM says opponents setting up same development projects they criticised in Punjab

— Says NAB should fulfil its duties at every cost

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that individual approach could never lead to national development and a collective approach should be adopted to take the country forward.

In a meeting with the Sherazi brothers of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Sindh, who called on him, the chief minister said Pakistan would move forward only when everyone worked hard with unity.

“Progress in a single province does not show development of the entire country and Pakistan will move forward only when other provinces join us in this journey of development,” he added.

Shehbaz said that the PML-N, if accorded another opportunity by the people in the upcoming elections, would extend the journey of development to Sindh as well as other parts of the country.

Among those who called on the chief minister were, Minister of State for National Food Security Syed Ayaz Ali Sherazi, former Member National Assembly (MNA) Syed Shafqat Hussain Sherazi, Syed Riaz Shah Sherazi and PML-N Thatha President Haji Muhammad Hanif.

Earlier, the Sherazi brothers reposed their complete confidence over the leadership of the PML-N president and paid tribute to Shehbaz for taking exemplary steps for public welfare as well as development in Punjab.

They said that Shehbaz had completely changed the province with his continuous hard work and the people of Sindh were fond of his wonderful vision of public service. “You have selflessly served the people in your province,” said the Sherazi brothers and added that ‘Shehbaz Speed’ was not just ‘Punjab Speed’, but it had now become ‘Pakistan Speed’.

“A new history has been written by CM Shehbaz after the completion of development projects well before time and that too while saving billions of rupees,” they said.

Separately, Chief Minister Shehbaz that his opponents were setting up the same development projects in their provinces that they had criticised back when they were launched in Punjab.

Addressing the gathering of students of Daanish Schools enrolled in institutions of higher learning, who called on him, Shehbaz said his political opponents had always targeted Daanish Schools without assessing the quality education being imparted to children through the project.

“The purpose of Danish schools is to support the deserving students,” he said and added that the opponents should meet the students before issuing any criticism.

Replying to a question regarding the National Accountancy Bureau (NAB), the chief minister said NAB should fulfill its responsibilities at every cost.

“We are happy if NAB is activated and it should be welcomed. Transparent and indiscriminate accountability of all should be held as it rejuvenates the society,” said Shehbaz while adding if it was the approach of the NAB chief then nobody would differ with it.

“Billions and trillions of rupees have been looted in the near past. The nation should welcome the steps taken by NAB,” he said. Chief Minister Shehbaz also said that Punjab, cooperating with the anti-graft watchdog, was providing it with all the necessary documents and other material.

Speaking about the Saaf Pani Scandal, Shehbaz said he believed in transparency and was answerable to the people along with Allah. “An amount of Rs70 billion was to be embezzled in the project but we caught it on time and saved billions of the nation,” said Shehbaz.

“We lodged FIRs and the case was referred to the anti-corruption establishment, but the question is that where was NAB back then?” he said and added that the Punjab government had saved billions of rupees in different projects by maintaining complete transparency.

“The wheel of development has been moved with speed and the people who worked hard for national development should be appreciated by the nation. However, it is the responsibility of NAB to investigate and dig out corruption, if there is any. NAB should also appreciate that billions of rupees have been saved by us,” said the chief minister.

Later in the day, the chief minister also condoled the death of Yaqoob Badar, brother of the late Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Jehangir Badar.

Expressed a deep sense of sorrow in his condolence message, CM Shehbaz prayed that may Allah rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear the loss with equanimity.