ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that previous government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had deliberately slowed down pace of development that was achieved during Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's tenure in Punjab. Instead of initiating new projects, ones launched by PML-N government were halted, premier said, adding "Rrevenge" was taken from people of province for supporting PML-N.

At high-level meeting to review ongoing public welfare and other proposed projects he said that during four years of previous government, affairs of province were handed over to an "Incompetent and puppet Chief Minister".

Instead of focusing on province's progress, office of Chief Minister was "Misused for political manoeuvring at federal level", PM said. PM further observed that public welfare-oriented projects which should have been completed and alleviated public woes continued to hit snags for years during previous government's tenure. He issued directives for early completion of all such ongoing projects. Meeting was briefed about proposed Lahore-Sialkot Motorway link road to facilitate people of Gujranwala.

PM directed Punjab caretaker Chief Executive to constitute three-member committee that would give a detailed briefing on project in next meeting. Adviser to PM on Establishment Ahad Khan Cheema and federal and provincial authorities attended. Meeting was given detailed briefing on construction work on Imamia Colony Flyover project. PM issued directives for early completion of project. Meanwhile, Shehbaz Sharif approved massive crackdown against hoarding, profiteering and black-marketing. While chairing high-level meeting here, he expressed strong displeasure at reports of illegal profiteering and smuggling. Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Ahad Cheema, Chief Secretary Punjab, Secretary Food Punjab, Inspector General Police Punjab and other officials attended meeting. PM Shehbaz decided to summon high level meeting here today to finalise measures to stop smuggling.

During meeting, strategy would be formed for countrywide action to eradicate smuggling of sugar and other items. He directed that elements involved in profiteering and hoarding should be dealt with iron hands and given exemplary punishment. He said that people could not be left at mercy of smugglers, profiteers and hoarders. "We will take action against those who are causing difficulties for people."

He instructed Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi to take effective steps and monitor situation in order to control price of sugar in province. He said provincial government should devise method to provide at lower price sugar confiscated from smugglers and hoarders. He instructed CM Punjab to hold meeting with sugar mills owners for taking steps with them to stop prices of sugar from rising.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 17 2023

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