LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan is facing critical situation as terrorism and extremism have shaken the foundations of the country.
Addressing a laptops distribution ceremony among the students of seminaries at Aiwan-e-Iqbal Wednesday, the chief minister said it was unfortunate that the blood of innocent people was being shed in the country. More than one thousand laptops were distributed among the students.
“The murderer and the murdered both are Muslims and there is massacre in the name of Islam. The time has come to love our own people and face the world bravely. Besides universities students, laptops are also being given to the students of seminaries on merit,” the CM held.
Shahbaz said the need of unity was much more today than before. He said we were divided on those issues on which we have to be united. He asked the audience to question themselves on what direction we were taking Pakistan. He said that Pakistan was not achieved for this purpose that the innocent people were killed and throats of each other was cut ruthlessly.
He said if the massacre was not stopped, then God forbid we would all be ruined. He appealed to ulema, mashaikh and the male and female students of religious seminaries to play their role for saving the country otherwise history will never forgive us.
The chief minister said that in 1971, Pakistan of Quaid was disintegrated and we did not learn any lesson from this tragedy. He made a fervent appeal that tolerance and patience should be promoted and respect is given to each other. He said ulema and religious seminaries could play their role for promoting the sentiments of peace, brotherhood, love and sacrifice.
Provincial Minister for Auqaf, Ehsanuddin Qureshi, Special Assistant Zaeem Hussain Qadri, Members national and provincial assembly, senior officials, ulema of various schools of thought, and a large number of students were present.
Separately addressing the inaugural ceremony of Nishat Recreational Park at Nishat Colony Cantt, the CM said separate ladies parks were also being constructed whereas facilities had also been provided for the recreation of children in the parks.
‘Every development project including construction of parks, metro bus, distribution of laptops and ujala programme are unprecedented with regard to transparency and quality,” the CM held.  The chief minister said although there was no legal binding yet as per our conscience, he had presented himself and his entire team for accountability as we considered ourselves accountable before the court of Almighty Allah, people and the law.
Recreational facilities as well as jogging track, walkway, solar lights, children play area, gym, cafeteria and parking have been provided in the park spread over seventy seven kanals of land and completed at a cost of Rs 40 million.
The chief minister congratulated the people of the area on completion of park in Nishat Colony. He lauded the efforts of assembly members, district administration, PHA and people of the area. He said the happiness on the faces of youth at completion of this park reflected that change which we were bringing under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif.