Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said that the government of Pakistan Muslim League is firm to lead country towards new horizons of socio economic development and resolve all problems of masses at their doorstep.
Addressing a gathering of newly elected union council Nazims, Naib Nazims, councillors here on Saturday, Sh Rashid called upon the newly elected local body representatives to give vote to PML candidates for district and town Nazims to make sure the continuity of the development process and resolve problems of people. Raja Rashid Hafeez, MPA and Parliamentary Secretary in Punjab hosted a reception in honour of the candidates for district and town Nazims including Javed Ikhlas, Sheikh Rashid Shafiq.
"Victory of PML candidates is imperative as being ruling party it would have huge resources for the development and uplift projects in the country", minister said adding that PML has used all out efforts for strengthening the country's economy and improve the living standard of people.
He said that people who were rejected by the PML in past are now exploiting the opposition parties for their meagre interests. "It is a bitter reality that the united opposition could not announce its candidate for the post of district and town Nazims yet as they did not gain majority in recent LB polls," he added.
He said that the candidate of PML for district Nazim, Raja Javed Ikhlas and town Nazim Rashid Shafiq are true political workers and their doors are and would remain open for people every time. "They both would have to take oath before their election to serve the people, develop Rawalpindi and remain honest," he added.
The federal minister assured the ladies councillors for allocation of their honorarium and empower them so that they could solve the problems of the people in their constituencies. "It is immediate basis of the devolution of power plan to give women a role in socio economic activities in the country", he added.
Sh. Rashid announced construction of a college at Gowalmandi saying that under the government policy to increase the literacy rate, another educational institutions would be establish in the heart of Rawalpindi city. Chief Minister Punjab Chudhary Pervaiz Elahi would lay down its foundation stone before the polling for district Nazim, he added.
President Musharraf, he said has handed over a plot to Punjab government worth Rs 8 million, which has actual market value of Rs 80 million.
Expressing concern over the water shortage and quality of water, federal minister said that he has raised the issue with the Ecnec to provide water for Rawalpindi from Ghazi Barotha Dam. He promised to install more water filtration plants in the city.
Besides federal minister the reception was addressed by Provincial Minister Raja Basharat, PML candidates for Nazims Raja Javed Ikhlas, Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, Special Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab Rahat Massod Qadoosi. MPAs Raja Rashid Hafeez, Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan and Samina Jadoon also spoke on the occasion.