Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that corruption is the most serious problem of the country, which has adversely affected the process of national development. He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting held to review the pace of implementation of Danish Schools project here on Wednesday, disclosed an official.
Members of provincial Assembly, Chief Secretary Punjab, Chairman Planning and Development, Additional Chief Secretary, Secretary Schools as well as senior officers concerned were present. Managing Director Danish School System Yousaf Kamal gave details of implementation of the project.
The CM said due to corruption Pakistan has become dependent on others and reliance on foreign aid has become a national character. He also said all segments of society would have to raise their voice with him against corruption and play an active role for rooting out corruption mafia. "Present leadership considers itself custodian of every penny of public money and all-out resources are being utilised for the welfare of the people and provision of basic amenities to the masses," he added.
According to him, setting up of Danish Schools would result in provision of modern educational facilities to the children of deprived segments of the society to enable them join national mainstream besides promoting a feeling in them that they have as much right over national resources as the elite. Education is a prerequisite for national development and prosperity, and the government is attaching top priority to the uplift of education sector and taken revolutionary measures in this regard. Danish School Project would help the poor students of backward and far-flung areas of the province avail modern educational facilities at par with those available in big cities as well as benefit from free boarding and lodging facilities.
He said that the project has been initiated from Bahawalpur division in southern Punjab and its scope would gradually be extended. He also said setting up of Danish Schools would reduce class conflict in the society and the same spirit should be displayed in the eradication of corruption as is being shown in the setting up of Danish Schools and provision of basis amenities to the masses.
"Had development funds been used properly and corruption was checked during the last 63 years, the situation would have been different in the country and maximum facilities would have been available to the poor. It is unfortunate that while all-out facilities are available to the elite, the common man is deprived of even such necessities as health and education.
The Assembly Members while giving their proposals with regard to Danish Schools said it is a revolutionary project and they would extend maximum co-operation in its implementation. Earlier, Danish School System MD Yousaf Kamal while giving details of the pace of progress of the project informed that construction work of schools in Hasilpur, Chishtian and Rahim Yar Khan in Bahawalpur division has been started.