Shahbaz calls for self-reliance for 'genuine' independence

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said any amount of foreign assistance at the cost of freedom and prestige of the country is not acceptable to the proud people of Pakistan.
He said no nation could prosper with foreign assistance and reliance on others would have to be abandoned as the aim of economic prosperity and genuine independence could only be achieved by remaining within available resources and working tirelessly.
He said they valued their relations with the friendly countries and were fully aware of the importance of their help in development process, however, no nation could afford to compromise on its sovereignty.
He said those who usurped the rights of people in their tenure were in no position to criticise the present government for its service to the people.
He said the funds were meant for the masses and were being utilised for their welfare and uplift. He said development projects worth billions of rupees were being executed expeditiously for the development of the province and prosperity of the masses and most of these projects would be completed within next three months.
He was talking to public and representatives of the media during his more than five hour long visit to different areas of the provincial metropolis to review development projects, on Sunday.
Members National and Provincial Assemblies, Director General Frontier Works Organisation, Commissioner and District Coordination Officer Lahore, Director General Lahore Development Authority, Managing Director Water and Sanitation Authority as well as senior officers concerned accompanied him. The Chief Minister said all out resources were being utilised for the provision of education, health and other facilities to the masses and development projects worth billions of rupees were being implemented across the province.
He said uplift schemes were being executed on priority basis in backward and less-developed areas. He said Danish Schools project had been commenced for the provision of modern education facilities to the students of backward areas at par with the developed areas. He said new medical colleges, hospitals and other educational institutions were being established throughout the province.
He said free dialysis facility was being extended in all districts, while the scope of provision of free medicines had also been expanded.
He said air-conditioners and generators had been installed in hospitals for the first time in the history of the country. He said a record subsidy of eight billion rupees was given under Ramazan Package for the provision of Sasta Atta to the masses, while those who did nothing for the people during their rule were criticising this scheme of public welfare without any justification.