LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Saturday met a delegation of 27th National Security Workshop of the National Defence University (NDU). She warmly welcomed the delegates, briefed them about her government’s public welfare initiatives, besides answering their
questions.She said that after the success of Operation “Bunyanum Marsoos”, Pakistan is proud of its defence and diplomatic standing in the world. She apprised the delegates that she has done a lot in Punjab, and a lot more is going to happen in the days to come.
She highlighted that problems are being faced due to unfair distribution of resources. Performance of the public sector becomes zero due to lack of accountability.
The Punjab chief minister said they were facing effects of floods in which not only millions of people but also livestock were saved. She noted that timely medical care saved people from spread of infectious diseases. She added that climate change is a reality while Pakistan’s efforts for its improvement have been appreciated worldwide.
She said that serious efforts have been made to control smog in Punjab. Smog gun spray, control over burning of crop residues and other measures have reduced the impact of smog. She underscored that effects of burning crops from across the border are reaching Lahore, but air quality is improving due to environment force and zigzag technology of kilns, because it is possible to immediately identify black smoke through digital monitoring.
Maryam Nawaz highlighted that no good work can be done if there is a fear of not getting votes. She noted that people were also angry when encroachments were raised. She said, “Implementation of merit and negation of recommendations is our motto. Merit cannot be violated in Punjab, no recruitment has been made on political grounds.”
She acknowledged that it is possible that corruption at the lower level is not completely under control, but now it is not possible at the top level. For the first time in history, women are working as ministers, secretaries, commissioners, DCs and DPOs.
The Punjab chief minister said that they are not buying wheat officially, as it benefits the middleman, not the farmer. She noted that she faced criticism for not buying wheat, but Punjab is the only province where prices of bread, flour and wheat have not increased. She flagged that good governance is not possible without a sense of accountability and responsibility. She noted that inflation rate has come down from 40 to 4 percent. With vegetables, bread and flour becoming cheaper, kitchen of a poor person can run easily.
She added that 1,650 roads measuring 30,000 kilometers are being built in Punjab, and have saved billions of rupees through e-tendering.
She added that projects worth trillions of rupees are running but there are no complaints of corruption. Inshallah, Punjab will be corruption-free in five years. She noted that vulgar words were said about her in rallies and she was put in jail for standing with her father.
She said that a standard of political ethics should be set. She underscored that she would respond to gossip and accusations with performance narrative. Maryam Nawaz said that she is making schools and colleges drug-free.
The head of NDU National Security Workshop delegation thanked the chief minister for her wonderful hosting and a detailed briefing. Participants of the National Security Workshop appreciated various public welfare initiatives of the Punjab government.
