Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has said that Punjab government is implementing the policy of balanced development of urban and rural areas and Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads programme reflects this policy. Completion of this programme will usher a new era of progress and prosperity in rural areas. Skill development will be promoted in villages while new job opportunities will be created. The second phase of construction and rehabilitation of rural roads is being started from next month.
Government believes in balanced development of rural and urban areas, therefore, projects of billions of rupees are being completed for the progress of urban and rural areas. Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads programme is an important step in this regard, thousands of kilometers roads are being constructed and rehabilitated and it will result progress and prosperity and happiness of rural population. This revolutionary programme of construction and rehabilitation of rural roads will change the living standard of the rural population.
Programme will equally benefit cultivators, workers, students and rural population. He said that Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads programme is a glorious project of public welfare and we will have to make collective efforts for its success through speedy work. He further directed that Cabinet Committee on Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme and Special Committee comprising Assembly Members should submit their recommendations within a week regarding improvement of plan.
Chief Minister further said that overloading will have to be checked for the maintenance of roads. Tree plantation is an important part of Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme and there should be a proper system for looking of trees. An international seminar will be organised in August regarding the programme of construction and rehabilitation of rural roads. He said that besides construction companies of China and Turkey, experts in construction sectors will also participate in seminar.
Assembly Members said Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads programme is the glorious vision of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and rural population is very happy over this programme. Provincial Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Tanvir Aslam Malik, Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Malik Nadeem Kamran, Dr Farrukh Javed, Members of National and Provincial Assembly, Chief Secretary Punjab Khizar Hayat Gondal, Chairman Planning and Development and concerned secretaries attended the meeting at Civil Secretariat through video link, whereas concerned Members National and Provincial Assembly and Commissioners of Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rawalpindi, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Multan and Gujranwala divisions attended the meeting through video link from their respective offices.