LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that foundation stone of Aashiyana Iqbal on Barki Road would be laid on March 23 and besides construction of 5, 7 and 10 marla houses, apartments would also be constructed here. He said after first Aashiyana Housing Scheme at Saroba Attari, thousands of houses with modern facilities will also be constructed in Aashiyana Iqbal for the poor and common man.
He was presiding over a briefing meeting regarding Aashiyana Iqbal project on Barki Road on Sunday. Chairman Punjab Land Development Company Sheikh Alauddin, Chairman Planning & Development, Senior Member Board of Revenue, DCO Lahore and officers concerned were also present on the occasion. Chief Executive Officer PLDC Momin Agha gave a detailed briefing about the project of Aashiyana Iqbal.
Talking on this occasion, Shahbaz Sharif said Punjab government had realised the dream of labourers, poor, orphans, widows and hapless people of having their own shelter by providing houses with modern facilities through Aashiyana Housing Schemes. He said tall claims for the welfare of the poor were made for the last 64 years but no practical step was taken in this regard. He said that credit of providing shelter to the poor goes to the PML-N which was laying the network of Aashiyana Housing Schemes. He said that the poor had as much right over national resources as elite and modern facilities better than the colonies of elite were being provided in these schemes.
He said best and precious land had been selected for Aashiyana Iqbal on Barki Road where besides other facilities, bus terminal, medical college, university and technical educational institute would also be established. He directed DCO Lahore to immediately start the construction work of link road for Aashiyana Iqbal and a police kiosk should also be set up there. He said that as per policy of the Punjab government, this project would also be a unique of its kind with regard to transparency and quality. While directing to release “feed money” of Rs. 200 million, he said that prequalification of the contractors should also be done for this project and such contractors should be selected who have the experience and devotion to work.  Chairman Punjab Land Development Company Sheikh Alauddin informed that the work on the extension project of Aashiyana Housing Scheme at Saroba Attari has been started and 40 thousand applications have been received for getting houses which reflects the confidence of the people in these schemes.
Meanwhile, Shahbaz Sharif went Pajian village and expressed his sorrow and grief with the family of Naik Muhammad who was killed while trying to reconcile the dispute between the two parties.
While announcing financial assistance of Rs 0.5 million for the heirs of the deceased, he directed SSP Investigation that the culprits involved in this incident should be arrested within 48 hours and a report be submitted to him. He also announced a government job for the daughter of the deceased. Member Provincial Assembly Muhammad Afzal Khokhar and senior police officers were also present on the occasion.
While talking to the affected family and the media-men, Shahbaz Sharif said that he was deeply grieved over this heart rendering incident and the culprits involved in this incident will be taken to task.
He said that they would not escape law. He assured the affected family that justice will be provided to them. The CM while consoling the daughters of slain could not control his sentiments and moved to tears.
While ordering the investigation of the dacoities committed in the area, the CM said that the crimes should be completely eliminated from the area. Earlier, father of the slain Naik Muhammad informed the Chief Minister about the details of the incident. The Chief Minister offered fateha for the departed soul.