LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that the expatriates are not overseas Pakistanis but Ambassadors of the country.
He said that Punjab government has decided to set up Overseas Pakistani Commission at provincial level for immediate resolving the problems of overseas Pakistanis.
He said that expatriate Pakistanis earn huge foreign exchange by dint of hard work and nobody will be allowed to usurp their hard earned money or property.
The Chief Minister promised that the Commission being set up for overseas Pakistanis will be fully empowered and the committee comprising elected representatives will monitor all matters at district level.
He was addressing First Pakistani Overseas Convention 2014 as chief guest at Chief Minister’s Office on Monday.
Governor Punjab Ch. Muhammad Sarwar presided over the function.
The Chief Minister said that arrival of patriotic Pakistanis in Lahore in such a large number reflects their complete confidence in the government of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
He said that hundreds of overseas Pakistanis have come to Pakistan at a very short notice and their visit will prove very useful.
He said that Pakistan is facing a number of problems and challenges and we ourselves are responsible for this situation.
He said that no serious effort was made by the former government for resolving energy crisis rather criminal negligence was committed and the nation is facing its consequences. Shahbaz Sharif has said that shortage of electricity has ruined economy, agriculture and industry while unemployment and poverty are rampant.
He said that our forefathers had achieved Pakistan by rendering numerous sacrifices.
He said that our forefathers had the dream that there will be honesty, hard work and merit in the country but this dream could not be materialised and coercion, rigging, qabza groups, safarish, nepotism, corruption are rampant.
Shahbaz Sharif said that due to terrorism, our passport has lost its credibility.
He said that a thief is considered “chaudhry” in police station, safarish and bribe are given importance while merit and honesty have no importance.
He said that patwaris grab properties of the people with the connivance of police.
He said that safarish, nepotism and corruption have destroyed merit in Pakistan. Now is the time to think and ponder, he added.
Shahbaz Sharif said that the way Dr. Abdul Qadeer and his team made Pakistan an atomic power through continuous struggle, similarly, if the people, politicians, judges, Generals, bureaucrats and all other segments of the country unite and make collective efforts, the destiny of the country will change. He said that if we want to change the country, we will have to change ourselves.
He said that we have forgotten the teachings of Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the principles of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal.
He said that we do nothing practical and only pay lip service.
The Chief Minister said that we have to work together for making Pakistan an Asian Tiger.
He expressed the hope that despite difficulties and challenges, Pakistani nation will become a great nation. Referring to the criminal negligence committed towards Nandipur Power Project under the previous government, Shahbaz Sharif said that government led by Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has restored the confidence of the Chinese company.
He said that the Chinese company was told that now Nawaz Sharif is in power in Pakistan, therefore, it should complete the project without any worry and this project is now being executed speedily and its first turbine will start production of 100 megawatt next month.
The Chief Minister said that due to corruption and greed of previous government, an additional amount of Rs 27 billion is being spent on this project which could have been utilised on provision of basic amenities to the masses.
Shahbaz Sharif said that the list of the crimes committed by the former rulers is very long. He disclosed that energy projects of 10,000 mw will start in Gadani. The Chief Minister said that these projects will be completed with the cooperation of China.
He said that China has extended unprecedented cooperation to Pakistan and PML-N government will eliminate darkness from the country.
Shahbaz Sharif said that government officers and officials who serve the people are his pride while those showing negligence towards their responsibilities are his enemy.
He said that people know well who looted them and who talks about their rights.
The Chief Minister said that land record computerisation project will be completed during current year and World Bank has also appreciated this revolutionary project and provided Rs 11 billion.
He said that government has launched Ashiana Housing Project for poor people.
Shahbaz Sharif disclosed that Allah Almighty has saved him from cancer and Allah Almighty wants him to serve the masses.
Governor Punjab Ch. Muhammad Sarwar, Provincial Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Rana Mashhood Ahmed, Additional Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning & Development and representatives of Overseas Pakistanis also addressed the convention.