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FAISALABAD, Nov 21 (APP):State Minister for Interior and Anti-Narcotics Senator Talal Chaudhry has said that political stability has paved way for economic improvement, but the real purpose of national progress would be achieved only when its benefits reach the common man.
Talking to the media in New City Jaranwala, he said that Pakistan has entered a phase of political stability, which is now translating into economic strengthening. However, he said that “a lot of work is still needed to make life easier for the ordinary citizen and this process has also begun”.
Lowering prices of essential commodities, reducing inflation, creating employment opportunities and ensuring balanced development across regions are critical tasks ahead, he added.
He criticized the tradition of previous Punjab governments that launched major development projects in their final year and said that the current administration under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has already initiated and advanced major schemes in its very first year.
He said that key projects such as Faisalabad Road, Lahore Road and Sayedwala Road are moving forward rapidly while Jaranwala is witnessing unprecedented development.
“There is hardly a village in Jaranwala where development work is not underway”, he said and highlighted the ongoing schemes worth Rs.4 billion which would covering sewerage, road rehabilitation and street lighting.
He said that the initiatives like “Suthra Punjab” and “CCD policing” had visibly benefited the public. The village-level waste collection was unimaginable in the past but now it is a reality across Punjab.
He said that in Karachi, garbage is not lifted, but in every village of Punjab there is a proper cleanliness system. When a government has sincere intentions, God places blessings in its efforts, he said, adding that the same police force and officers were now delivering justice swiftly.
No one can dare commit oppression against the daughters, sisters or mothers of Punjab without facing consequences before sunset, he added.
Responding to a question about by-elections, Talal Chaudhary urged the voters to judge candidates based on performance rather than slogans. “Development and performance are what take matters forward. The slogans neither fill stomachs nor run a country”, he added.
Regarding longstanding demand for declaring Jaranwala a district, the senator said he had first raised the issue during a 2013 public gathering of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, after which the discussion gained momentum.
“Jaranwala will become a district, God willing, but our traders, lawyers, political leaders and relevant organizations must collectively play their role in this regard”, he added.
He said that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had granted approval for establishing a university campus in Jaranwala. “However, I refrain from making announcements until practical work begins”, he added.
Explaining the dire need for higher education facilities, he said that more than 200 wagons and vans transport female students daily from Jaranwala villages to Faisalabad. This practice forces each student to spend Rs.14,000 to Rs.20,000 on monthly transport alone and many families cannot afford this amount, he said.
Instead of setting up a new small university, a major university campus accommodating all essential faculties would be established to meet local needs, he added.
The state minister said that up-gradation of local hospital was also a critical requirement and work on this project was underway.
He cited sewerage projects, motorway linkages, farm-to-market access roads and gas supply to 60 villages as major initiatives in progress. “I prefer Punjab Chief Minister to make formal announcements”, he said, adding that he would only announce projects once these reached the implementation stage on the ground.