LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said in her message on the International Anti-Corruption Day that corruption spreads unrest and hopelessness in a society.
She said corruption is not only a crime but also a social, economic and moral injustice. She highlighted that from day one, her government adopted a zero-tolerance policy against corruption. She underscored that policies focused on transparency, eliminating corruption and improving service delivery have enhanced Pakistan’s image in the world. The KPI system has made government officers more efficient and active, resulting in improved public services. She noted that corruption is not just a moral decline, it was enemy of national development, adding that it damages national resources and undermines public trust.
She said the Punjab government is committed to eradicating corruption once and for all by taking strict measures at all levels. She vowed that corruption will not be tolerated under any circumstances, saying that a KPI system has been introduced to ensure transparency and accountability in governance. She said: “Our goal was to make our dear homeland corruption-free, developed and prosperous. All citizens must play their pro-active role in eliminating this menace from the society. Promoting transparency, integrity and merit is our collective responsibility. All segments of society must cooperate with the government to eradicate corruption completely.” She said the Anti-Corruption Department has been made an independent institution, which has significantly streamlined its performance.
Meanwhile, Maryam Nawaz has directed issuing special cards for cardiac and cancer patients across Punjab. She passed these directions while chairing a special meeting on Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education. She directed the authorities concerned to introduce special cards for the treatment of cardiac and cancer patients in the province.
The authorities gave her a detailed briefing on Cancer and Cardiac Surgery Special Card Project, besides an update on Chief Minister’s Special Initiative for Cancer Patients Card in Punjab. They apprised her that under this initiative, the Punjab government will bear complete treatment cost of patients suffering from cancer and heart diseases.
They also apprised her that every patient will be able to avail treatment facilities worth up to Rs1 million through this card, and added that in the first phase, 45,000 patients across Punjab will benefit from this initiative.
Maryam Nawaz also chaired a high-level meeting to review progress in the province’s agricultural development. Authorities briefed her that Punjab has maintained a consistent supply of fertilizers this year, setting a new record. They added that despite market pressures, fertilizers did not become expensive, nor were they hoarded or sold in the black market. The authorities briefed her that around 16.5 million acres were brought under wheat cultivation, more than any other province. They added that the sale of wheat seeds increased by 27% and urea sales rose by 26% as compared to last year. They briefed the CM that under her direction, a subsidy of Rs500 per bag was provided on every certified wheat seed bag from the Punjab Seed Corporation, adding that the province has achieved a major milestone by issuing 800,000 Kisan Cards for the first time in its history, facilitating farmers with loans worth Rs250 billion, Rs160 billion of these loans were used to purchase seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. They further apprised her that the loan repayment rate through Kisan Cards reached 96%, the highest in Punjab.
