The presumptive Chief Minister of Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif, has said that the PML-N government at the centre and Punjab would set examples of austerity and simplicity for other provincial governments. Addressing the newly-elected Assembly Members of PML-N here, Sharif said that a poor country like Pakistan cannot afford lavish expenditures of the rulers.
He said that PML-N leadership has shown through its conduct during the last five years how national resources can be safeguarded. He said that PML-N government contrary to the former rulers did not spend even a single penny in the name of secret fund in the Chief Minister's Secretariat and his colleagues paid from their own pockets the expenditures on foreign visits and so much so they voluntarily reduced their salaries at the time of flood.
He said that the future cabinet will not be large and only those persons will be inducted in the cabinet as are infused with the spirit of public service.
He said that minister-ship under the Muslim League-N government will be a test and not a source of enjoyment. He said that the ministers will be duty bound to present monthly report of the performance of their departments. Shahbaz Sharif said that he would also present himself before his colleagues and public representatives for accountability and evaluation of his efficiency.
Referring to the role of Muslim League-N in the process of formation of governments in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said that the decisions made in this regard have proved the fact that Nawaz Sharif is a sagacious leader who gives preference to larger national interests over political or party interest.