APNS DELEGATION MEETS SHAHBAZ SHARIF LAHORE, March 14(PFP: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that situation of the country has gradually improved during the nine months tenure of present government. He said that no financial scandal has surfaced during this period which is a big change from the near past and a credit to the present leadership. The Chief Minister said that he has always accepted criticism of media with an open heart and given importance to the press reports. He said that due to strenuous efforts of the government the economic situation is improving and the friendly countries are ready to make investment and support in national economy. He said that China has offered historic investment package of 32 billion dollars for the next seven years which is a big gift of Pak-China friendship. He said that it is responsibility of the Pakistani government to benefit from this package and all out efforts would be made for this purpose. He was talking to a delegation of Executive Committee of All Pakistan Newspapers Society which met him here today under the leadership of its President Sarmad Ali. Provincial Minister for Education Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Parliamentary Secretary on Information Rana Muhammad Arshad, Secretary Information, Press Secretary to Chief Minister Shoaib Bin Aziz and DGPR were also present on the occasion. Problems being faced by newspapers industry were also discussed on the occasion and the Chief Minister directed to constitute a joint committee of APNS and Punjab government for their solution. Talking to APNS delegation, the Chief Minister said that the government led by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has made sincere and serious efforts for elimination of extremism and terrorism through dialogue. He said that government has initiated dialogue process with complete responsibility for the maintenance of law and order in the country. He said that anti Pakistan forces do not want stability in the country however the Prime Minister has made it clear that talks will be held under the constitution of Pakistan and there should be no doubt about it. The Chief Minister prayed for success of the negotiations. He further said that there is need for reforms and taking tough decisions for bringing a change in the society and elite of the country should perceive the existing situation in its proper perspective. He said that it is time to reduce the burden on the deprived segments of the society, otherwise, no progress would be made. He said that it is time for change. Shahbaz Sharif further said that inequitable distribution of the resources has caused many problems in the society. He said that when the tariff was increased and action was taken against power and gas thieves, it was the elite who raised hue and cry. He said that extravagant expenditures will have to be stopped to achieve a dignified status in the comity of nations. He said that more resources than the ratio of population were allocated for the progress and prosperity of the South Punjab. He said that government is working with regard to new water reservoirs and work on Dia Mir Bhasha Dam has been started. He said that no country can make progress without achieving economic independence. He said that war is no solution to any problem and Pakistan desires good neighbourly relations with India. The Chief Minister said that he has taken notice of baton charge of police on nurses and ordered judicial inquiry while orders for suspension of police officials responsible for violence against nurses have been issued. He said that genuine problems of nurses will be resolved in an amicable manner. He said that a policy is being formulated at provincial level regarding the affairs of housing societies which will soon be announced. APNS members informed the Chief Minister that distribution of advertisements of Punjab government is being made in an equitable manner and adds are being given to newspapers under corruption free culture. The Chief Minister condoled death of APNS member and senior journalist Fasih Iqbal and Fateh Khawani was also offered in the meeting for the departed soul.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 17:03:49 +0000
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