If a promise of any kind is made on the holy land of Saudi Arabia and particularly in Makkah and Medina, it has to be believed by one and all in all fairness.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif while extending good wishes to the nation on the New Year’s eve and toasting message quite sincerely said that Pakistan of 2018 would be more peaceful, brighter and stronger as compared to that just passed 2017 and the new year will dawn as a hope for bright future, strong economy and prosperity in the country.

The chief minister is these days in Saudi Arabia performing Umrah.

According to the reports in the newspapers, the chief minister said that we would keep striving for making Pakistan a peaceful welfare state according to the vision of the Quaid-i-Azam. He further said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is bringing economic stability in the country, making people prosperous and is proving as a game changer for Pakistan.

The chief minister quite emphatically reiterated that during the last year, we upheld the honour of completing all projects with speed, standard, and transparency in Punjab. The army, police and other forces personnel kept the national flag high by rendering countless sacrifices in the field against terrorism, extremism, and militancy. New energy projects and end of load shedding are the gifts of the ruling party for the people, and we pledge to abolish the difference between the rich and the poor. Our commitment is higher than challenges we face, and 2018 will bring light and hope for Pakistan nation.

He is known as a hard taskmaster, and working tirelessly. And he is quite capable of striving for achieving what he has wished to achieve during the just ushered New Year 2018.

M.Z.RIFAT,

Lahore, January 1.