LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that like the governments, journalists elect their new office-bearers through vote.
He said that Lahore Press Club is a renowned journalist institution of Pakistan and he congratulates newly elected President Muhammad Shahbaz Mian, Secretary Shadab Riaz, other office-bearers and members of governing body of Lahore Press Club on assuming new responsibilities.
He was addressing oath taking ceremony of newly elected office-bearers of Lahore Press Club at Model Town, here yesterday. The chief minister administered oath. President Lahore Press Club Shehbaz Mian gave life membership of Lahore Press Club to Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
He announced increasing annual grant of Lahore Press Club from Rs3 million to Rs 5 million. The chief minister said that medical facilities will also be provided to members of Lahore Press Club while he is ready to take practical steps for resolving their other genuine problems.
The chief minister said that the role of journalist community, columnists, anchors and analysts is of paramount importance for improving the society and guiding governments and expressed the hope that they will continue to play their positive role for the betterment of the country.
The chief minister said that journalist community has made great struggle and gave sacrifices for the restoration of democracy and strengthening of democratic institutions in the country. He said that the struggle of journalists for this purpose will always be remembered.
Shahbaz Sharif said that the government has high hopes of print and electronic media, that is why, Punjab government has taken a number of steps for the provision of facilities in Journalist Colony during the last eight years and prices of the plots for widows have been reduced.
He announced constituting a committee comprising Zaeem Hussain Qadri, Secretary Information, DG LDA, Shoaib Bin Aziz and DGPR in this regard and said that this committee will sit with representatives of journalist community and present final recommendations at the earliest for resolving their genuine problems.
Shahbaz Sharif said that he takes guidance from press reports, columns and other sources. He said that print and electronic media play an important role for conveying any message to the people in a better manner therefore, they have to apprise them of the steps being taken for the development of the country.
Turkey to invest in Punjab transport sector: A delegation of investors group of Turkey met Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif yesterday and announced investing in transport sector in Punjab.
Turk investors will put money in transport sector of the province via plying modern yellow cabs.
The chief minister on the occasion also tested modern yellow cabs by sitting in it. Talking to the Turk investors, Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan and Turkey are tied with the everlasting friendship. He said that deep cultural and historical relations exist between both the countries.
Shahbaz Sharif said that the historic brotherly relations between Pakistan and Turkey have been changed into useful economic cooperation. He said that hearts of people of both the countries beat together and both the countries have been standing with each other in every hour of trial.
He said that various Turkish companies are investing in transport, infrastructure and other sectors in Punjab due to which economic relations between Pakistan and Turkey have strengthened.
The chief minister said that projects of billions of rupees have been completed in the province for providing quality, comfortable, safe and economical travelling facilities to the people. He said that metro bus service being run with the cooperation of Turkey has changed transport culture and lakhs of people are benefiting from this modern service.
He welcomed investment by Turk investors in transport sector in Punjab. He assured that all possible facilities will be provided to Turk investors for plying yellow cab vehicles.
Turk investors expressing their views on the occasion said that they acknowledged the extraordinary abilities and untiring efforts of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. They said that Shahbaz Sharif played an important role in enhancing relations between Pakistan and Turkey.
Also, President World Bank Jim Yong Kim has said that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has introduced best reforms in various sectors in the province and he is pleased to see the positive results.
He said that Shahbaz Sharif is actively engaged in achieving excellent results for the development of social sector and under his leadership, Punjab government is implementing public welfare steps with commitment. President World Bank said that Punjab government under the dynamic leadership of Shahbaz Sharif has started excellent welfare programmes which are commendable.
He said that speedy implementation on a number of public welfare programmes and improving living standard of the people by Punjab government is commendable. He said, no doubt, performance of Punjab government under committed leadership of Shahbaz Sharif is highly impressive.
CM grieved over journalist’s death
LAHOREL Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has expressed deep sense of sorrow and grief over the death of Abdul Shakoor Bhatti, Business Editor of The Nation and Life Member Lahore Press Club. In a condolence message, the chief minister prayed that may Allah Almighty rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage and strength to the members of the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude.–Staff Reporter