LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed his delight over Transparency International’s (TI) report, which says corruption is in decline in Pakistan.
“Improvement in Pakistan’s ranking is affirmation of transparent policies of the incumbent PML-N government. This report is an honour not only for the PML-N government but for the 220 million people of the country. Acknowledgement of government’s transparency in Pakistan by an international body is a welcome step,” the chief minister said in a statement here on Thursday.
The chief minister said that TI report had proved that the government had promoted transparency and this report was affirming the steps taken by the government of Pakistan for promotion of transparency at every level. “This report has acknowledged the steps taken by the government of Pakistan for eradication of corruption,” he said. The chief minister said that improvement in Pakistan’s ranking shows that steps of the incumbent government for elimination of corruption have proved fruitful. He said that savings to the tune of billions of rupees have been made by ensuring transparency in different development projects for the first time in the history of the country. He said the PML-N government had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against corruption.
The chief minister said that effective measures had been taken for elimination of corruption and promotion of transparency. He said that merit had been ensured and steps had been taken for elimination of corruption from the country. He said that Pakistan’s international image had improved due to promotion of transparency, elimination of corruption and provision of better services to people.
DEVELOPMENT TO CONTINUE
Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that public service is his politics and the mission of development will continue under the PML-N government.
Shehbaz said in a statement that he had devoted his life to public welfare and prosperity. “Historic work has been done in every sector, including health, education and agriculture due to which development in Punjab has become an example for other provinces,” he said, adding that transparency, quality and speed have been maintained in every development project. He said the Punjab will continue to do the best to complete the development projects not only transparently but on a fast track. “The mega projects and innovative schemes of the PML-N government in different sectors are examples of their own,” he said. He said that billions of rupees had been saved from mega projects first time in the 70 years history of the country and the saved money was being spent on public welfare projects. He said that mega projects will continue in future for public welfare. “We have implemented a vision of composite development and thousands of kilometers long roads have been constructed and repaired in all villages of the province under the Pakian Sarkan Saukhay Painday Project.
CABINET COMMITTEE MEETING
As fear gripped the Punjab bureaucracy after arrest of former LDA director general Ahad Cheema on charges of corruption in the award of contract for Paragon Housing Project, Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif called a Cabinet Committee meeting here on Friday (today).
The chief minister will take the cabinet into confidence on the NAB operation and discuss the situation after arrest of Cheema, who was in the top bureaucracy of the province. The arrest of Ahad Cheema has rolled down serious concerns among bureaucratic quarters of the province and the cabinet is due to discuss different aspects of the NAB operation and its effects on functioning of the provincial bureaucratic and administrative hierarchy.
Media reports say that senior bureaucrats met Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan and conveyed the concerns of the officials. Later the situation was brought to the notice of the Chief Minister.
CM GREETS NATION
Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated the nation, players, PCB and administration of PSL on the occasion of start of the 3rd edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He expressed his good wishes for cricket teams and the enthusiasts on the PSL-3 season three. The start of PSL-3 will be helpful in restoring international cricket in Pakistan and due to this tournament cricket-lovers will enjoy an international-level sports activity.
With the holding of PSL type international events, the soft image of Pakistan is promoted in the world. Holding of PSL has paved the way for revival of international cricket in Pakistan. It is hoped that holding of these matches will help restore the hustle and bustle of cricket stadiums and the fans will get an opportunity to enjoy good play of cricket through the PSL, concluded the chief minister.