Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said that the Pakistan Muslim League's PML (Q) government has adopted revolutionary measures for the socio-economic and industrial development of the province.
Also claimed that PML (Q) has undertaken more uplift activities, which were not taken under the regimes of other political parties, such as Pakistan People's Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. He expressed these views while addressing a meeting of Assembly Members, nazims, town nazim and PML office-bearers of Lahore at Chief Minister Secretariat here on Thursday.
Criticising the performance of PML-N he said that during Nawaz Sharif's period both, the prime minister and chief minister, were from Punjab but they were not able to take measures for the development of the province except for the construction of a few roads.
However, he said, the present government adopted a comprehensive strategy for the uplift of the whole province and utilised billions of rupees on the execution of development projects. He said that the government has been spending billions of rupees on the progress and development of Lahore. He said that Lahore had been made a hub of cultural, economic and industrial activities due to which its identity has been further highlighted at the international level.
Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi further said that government has initiated a number of mega projects and other uplifts schemes for the progress of the city which include construction of ring road, under passes, roads, setting up of sports city, construction of 55 storey Sheikh Zayed Trade Centre and Information Technology Park.
He said that the project of Lahore Mass Transit Train was also being initiated and its foundation stone would be laid in October this year. He said that a new system of traffic city police has been introduced for the traffic management. He said that the 'Project of Rescue' 1,122 initiated for the provision of relief to the people in case of accidents and calamities was proving very useful.
He said that a fire fighting service of international standard had also been started. He said Punjab Emergency Services Academy has been established in Lahore where training of international level was being imparted to rescuers.
In order to provide quality health services to the citizens, modern hospitals were being set up, he said. He said that new emergency wards have been constructed at Sir Ganga Ram, Jinnah and General hospitals while Services Institute of Medical Sciences is being established at Services Hospital.
Besides, a massive project for the rehabilitation of the Walled City is being implemented for highlighting the cultural identity of this city, sewerage and sanitation system of Lahore has been modernised, he informed. He said that two 5-star hotels are being constructed in Lahore under private-public partnership for the promotion of tourism.
Expressing his views regarding forthcoming elections he said that Pakistan Muslim League would contest the forth-coming elections on the basis of its glorious performance and would give a crushing defeat on its political opponents. He said that people would vote for PML candidates in the elections due to the development projects initiated by the government.
Lahore would prove to be the bastion of Muslim League in the general elections due to the efforts made by the government for its development and uplift, he added. He also urged the people to ensure success of PML in the elections for the continuity of the process of national development and prosperity.
He said that PML had finalised its election strategy and completed the process of consultation in 30 districts. He said that opposition had wanted to abolish new system of local governments, but now they have consolidated and realised that the system is essential for the stability of democracy in the country.
He stressed Assembly Members, Nazims, PML office-bearers and workers to put a side their personal differences and make collective efforts for the historic success of PML in forthcoming general elections.
Provincial Minister for Law & Local Government Muhammad Bashart Raja, Minster for Information Technology Abdul Aleem Khan, Minister for Tourism Mian Muhammad Aslam Iqbal, Minister for Population Welfare Nasim Lodhi, Minister for Environment Dr Anjum Amjad District Nazim Mian Amir Mahmood, PML leader Moonis Elahi.
President PML Women Wing Punjab Shahana Farooqi, President PML Lahore Mian Muhammad Munir and Special Assistants to Chief Minister Inbasat Khan and Saba Sadiq were also present on the occasion. The minister said that PML achieved glorious success in the local bodies elections due to its development programmes and it would repeat the same performance in the forth-coming general elections.