LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that new standards of development will be set in Punjab and transparency is being ensured through monitoring of development projects at every level.

Similarly, no compromise will be made on construction standards of development projects, he said while addressing a high-level meeting here on Monday. The meeting reviewed progress on annual development programme and ongoing development schemes of different departments.

The chief minister issued directions for early completion of projects. He said that construction of buildings of educational institutions should be completed as soon as possible and different projects relating to sports, including sports complexes, should be completed in a transparent manner so that the youth could be provided best facilities for sports-related activities. The meeting was told that first phase of construction of teaching hospitals in four districts was being completed and medical colleges were being set up in four districts in the second phase.

The chief minister said that transparency in development projects is a proud hallmark of the Punjab government. “The provincial government has set up a worth-following example by saving billions of rupees in development schemes. The timely completion of public welfare schemes is being ensured and the government is pursuing the policy of ensuring composite development of all areas. For the first time in the history of the country, more budget has been allocated for southern Punjab as compared to its population ratio,” he said. He said that transparency and quality of development projects were an example of their own and development vision of the Punjab government had been acknowledged nationally as well as internationally. It is important to note that avant-garde projects in different sectors have become an identity of the Punjab government, he said.

Shehbaz told officials that public welfare should be given priority while finalizing development schemes and transparent use of funds should be ensured. No one will be allowed to waste the hard-earned money of people, he said. Similarly, violators of the vision of transparency in development schemes will not be tolerated, he said.

Provincial ministers, secretaries and other officials attended the meeting.

MEETING WITH LAWMAKERS

Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the PML-N government has won hearts of people by fulfilling its promises. Overcoming the energy crisis is a historic achievement of the PML-N led government, he said. The Punjab government has introduced innovative development strategies in education, healthcare, agriculture and other sectors to help improve the quality of life of people, Shehbaz said while talking to MNA Asad ur Rehman and MPA Abdul Rauf who called on him here yesterday.

The chief minister said public welfare, development and prosperity were vision of the government and with that end in mind timely completion of development schemes was being ensured. “The government is striving for equitable development of every city and town and best treatment facilities along with high-quality medicines are being provided to people across the province,” he said.

BONE MARROW CASE

Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of a news story about extraction of bone marrow illegally in Hafizabad.

He has ordered investigation into the matter and sought a report from the district police officer of Hafizabad. He has told the officials that legal action should be initiated against the criminals involved in this act and best treatment facilities should be provided to affected girls. He has said that strict legal action will be initiated against the elements doing such illegal act.