Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that corruption, nepotism and plundering of national resources have shaken the foundations of the country. The stigma of corruption will have to be removed for the prosperity of the masses and development of the country and all segments of the society will have to play their role for this purpose, he added.
He said that transparency is the hallmark of the Punjab government and it is implementing a comprehensive policy in this regard. He said that every single penny of the public money is being spent on the development of the province and welfare of the masses in a transparent manner.
He was addressing a meeting held on the occasion of briefings given with regard to promotion of transparency by Chairman Planning & Development and Geographic Information System by Project Director Urban Unit, here on Wednesday. Provincial Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah Khan, Member National Assembly Khurram Dastagir, Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning & Development, Secretaries of Finance, Agriculture, Excise & Taxation, Communications & Works, Chairman Chief Minister's Inspection Team, Director General Anti-Corruption and other officers were present.
Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that transparency and merit is the top priority of the Punjab government and solid steps have been taken for this purpose. He said that third party audit has been made compulsory for all development projects. He disclosed that Transparency International in its report has admitted that there is more transparency in Punjab than other provinces of Pakistan. While appreciating the briefing given by the Chairman Planning & Development with regard to promotion of transparency has said that we have to march forward in this direction with determination and have to eliminate corruption at all levels. He also directed to constitute a committee headed by Chief Secretary and comprising heads of the departments and experts, which will submit its recommendations within next few days regarding promotion of transparency. He said that cabinet committee will review these recommendations after which these will be presented to the cabinet for approval.
Giving approval to bringing Urban Unit into company mode, he said that geographic information system is a useful system and the problems of the common man can be resolved by benefiting from modern technology. He said that performance of the departments can be improved through this system and we have to march forward towards this direction speedily. Participants of the meeting also submitted their proposals.
Earlier, Chairman Planning & Development Javed Aslam and Project Director Urban Unit gave detailed briefings regarding promotion of transparency and important features of geographic information system, respectively. Later, Chief Minister also inaugurated the unit of geographical information system and lauded the system equipped with modern technology.