LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that continuous efforts will have to be made to make the country prosperous and stabilised.
Speaking to a delegation of Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) members in London, the chief minister said that the people cannot be cajoled through hollow slogans, adding that the false claimants of change have done nothing except wasting precious time of the nation. In fact, these people, who are devoid of the passion for public service, have done nothing for the people. “Politics is the name of public service and solutions for the problems of the common man and we have served the masses as like a sacred mission. The public welfare projects in the province are a proof of it”, he added.
The chief minister said that due to the revolutionary steps for the welfare of the common man taken by the government, people are enjoying better and latest healthcare facilities in the hospitals. Meanwhile, mobile health units are delivering their finest services for providing healthcare facilities to people at their doorstep; whereas, a state-of-the-art Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute (PKLI) is being established in the provincial metropolis for the free treatment of the poor.
“The inauguration of its first phase will be held soon”, he said and further stated that people from all across the country will avail the latest healthcare facilities at PKLI.
The CM stated that the establishment of Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF) is a commendable step of the government which has enabled intelligent students of low-income families to continue their education.
“Due to this educational fund, thousands of students are playing their role in the process of national development after completing their studies”, he said.
He further said that people have fully recognised the real faces of the elements making a hue and cry of change as instead of public service, they have spent all of their time in mendacity and negative politics.
Reiterating the Punjab government’s commitment to eradicating poverty, the chief minister said the government is pursuing a comprehensive strategy of alleviating poverty and creating more job opportunities in the province, with special attention on the welfare of indigent strata.
Interest-free loans are being provided through Chief Minister’s Self Employment Scheme and thousands of families have benefited from this useful scheme, said Shehbaz, adding that interest-free loans help in the government’s efforts against poverty.
Under this scheme, more than 37 billion rupees have been distributed as interest-free loans, he said, adding that Rs.6.5 billion shall be provided to 250,000 deserving families as interest-free loans during the coming seven months.