Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday said they have laid the strong foundation of an illuminating Pakistan. "When we came into power, the energy crisis was at its peak and the country was plunged into darkness and the nation was in a state of deprivation. We realized the seriousness of the matter and burnt the midnight oil to effectively deal with the energy challenge," Shahbaz said, adding: "We started working on different projects of energy production on war footing and resultantly, these projects have been completed in a record period of time to rid the nation of load shedding."
He said, "We are thankful to Almighty Allah that our hard work, passion and commitments have bear fruit and load-shedding is ended now." According to him, the PML-N government has completed the energy projects in a short period of time and now the load-shedding has become the thing of the past. It is heartening that energy projects have been completed in a very transparent manner with minimal costs.
He said, "It is lamenting that past governments have made a cruel joke with the nation with regard to energy projects and plunged the nation into darkness by showing criminal negligence. He said that energy projects are of prime importance for economic development of the country and employment opportunities have been increased and people are more prosperous due to increase in energy production.
Shahbaz maintained that public welfare and national development are the main agenda of PML-N because the country will progress when common people will be rich. Due to the efforts of PML-N government and completion of ongoing energy projects, there would be ample electricity in the country; the surplus electricity could also be exported and the journey of a prosperous and developed Pakistan will continue, he added. Moreover, in his message on International Day for Street Children, Shahbaz said that securing the future of street children is the priority agenda of the Punjab government and all the resources are being utilized for providing conducive atmosphere to help grow as educated and confident human beings.
He said the Child Protection & Welfare Bureau is working in an effective manner to give better future to the street children and different facilities have been arranged in this department so that such children could be fully rehabilitated. Like all other children, the street children are also a responsibility of the nation and the government is actively working for their rehabilitation through various educational facilities, he said. He added that all the line departments should play a proactive role for giving a purposeful life, prospects to such children because they are our precious asset and a hope for the bright future. This mission requires strong partnership between public and private sectors, he added.
Furthermore, Shahbaz has strongly condemned the landmine blast in Kurram Agency. He expressed a deep sense of sorrow and grief over the loss of precious human lives and extended heartfelt sympathies to the heirs of the persons who have lost their lives.