Ali Baba, 40 thieves looting national wealth, says Shahbaz

LAHORE Punjab Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that solid steps have been taken in the budget for ending unemployment from the province, and besides offering loans to the unemployed youth. He said that about 20,000 yellow cabs will also be distributed among the needy and a sum of Rs 4.5 billion has been allocated for this purpose. He was talking to media-men while inspecting yellow cabs after a meeting of the Punjab Cabinet at the Civil Secretariat here on Wednesday. 'As a result of negotiations the company supplying the cabs has agreed to provide the vehicles at reduced price and Rs 400 million will thus be saved, he said, while appreciating Chief Secretary Punjab Nasir Mehmood Khan Khosa and Secretary Finance Tariq Bajwa for their efforts in this regard. The CM mentioned that as transparency was the hallmark of Punjab government and like Green Tractors Scheme, Aashiyana Housing Scheme and other projects, yellow cabs would also be distributed among the deserving persons in a transparent manner. He said that yellow cabs would be manufactured in Pakistan and as a result of negotiations, the company had agreed to supply the vehicles at a reduced price. Replying to a question, Shahbaz Sharif said that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Raza Rabbani were in favour of devolution of Ministries to the provinces in the wake of 18th Amendment in the Constitution, but some elements having a non-political thinking were creating hurdles. He stated that 'Ali Baba and 40 thieves had joined hands in Islamabad to plunder resources of the provinces. 'Elements which robbed Hajis, the Punjab Bank scandal and NICL are obstructing the transfer of these institutions as they want to loot the funds of billions of rupees of these Ministries as well. These elements are suggesting to run some institutions jointly by the Federation and provinces, which is totally unconstitutional, he said, adding, that Punjab had demanded convening a meeting of the Council of Common Interests immediately so that these issues could be resolved in light of the Constitution. To another question, he said PPP promoted corruption in Azad Kashmir elections and used the funds of Benazir Income Support Programme as a bribe. The CM also sought views of mediamen about the colour of yellow cabs who proposed green colour for the cabs. Later, the CM personally drove a yellow cab to check its standard.