First phase of Multan Metro Bus project by Dec 30

[Salman]

MULTAN - Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif lashed out at the dharna-walas on Tuesday, saying they pushed the country back many years and ruined national economy.
Talking to the journalists here in Multan on Tuesday after kicking off second phase of distribution of financial assistance to flood victims of district, he maintained that the perpetrators of sit-in went to Canada and Bani Gala, leaving poor workers behind alone to face harsh conditions. He said that all the promises made by him and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with flood victims had been fulfilled and the government did not tell any lie to the masses like those “standing on containers” told the people on daily basis. He maintained that the elements standing on containers delivered serious losses to the country while the PML-N leadership served the masses and extended maximum help to the flood affectees. He said that the government was ready for dialogue with Imran Khan and others in larger national interest, asking entire opposition to join hands with the government for the revival of National Economy.
He said that the elements engaged in sit-ins proved their enmity with the country by getting the visit of Chinese president postponed. “The nation will never forgive them,” he warned. He said that the entire Chinese leadership including President and Prime Minister expressed full confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his recent visit to China and extended him a warm welcome. He regretted that the Chinese president was scheduled to visit Pakistan but he postponed his programme because of “anti-Pakistan” attitude of elements staging sit-ins. He added that the Chinese President visited India and Afghanistan and signed agreements worth billions of dollars with them. “All these agreements were to be signed with us but we lost this opportunity because of dharna-walas,” he maintained. He said that agreements on energy projects worth billions of dollars had been signed during the Prime Minister’s recent visit and China had again offered its support to Pakistan to help overcome energy crisis. He said that the Chinese president would visit Pakistan at an appropriate time.
He told the journalists that a huge amount of Rs1,500 million would be distributed among flood-hit people of Multan region under the Khadim-e-Punjab Relief Package. He added that the compensation was being given to the citizens for losses of their properties and crops in second phase. Giving details, he said that a total of Rs80,000 would be given against a totally damaged house while Rs40,000 for a partially damaged house. He said that the Punjab government distributed the first instalment of Rs 25,000 per family before Eid and that a huge sum of Rs2 billion was spent for this purpose. He further explained that compensation for damages to crops at the rate of Rs10,000 per acre was being given to such farmers, who owned up to 12.5 acres of land.
MULTAN TO GET PROJECTS WORTH BILLIONS, BIG CITY NOTIFICATION IN 48 HOURS
Earlier, he announced to issue the notification of big city status for Multan in next 48 hours. The CM has twice promised to give big city status to Multan in the past but the promise could not be fulfilled. He further told the journalists that the first phase of Metro bus-service Project would begin by December 30, 2014.
He announced to revive Government Degree College for Women Chowk Kachehri, saying the Women University would be set up at its own space. The CM declared that water filtration plants would be installed at union council level and a Water Filtration Authority would be set up to look after these plants. He said that 500 acre land for Nawaz Sharif Agriculture University was allocated in Jalalpur Pirwala. He assured the journalists that the funds of Journalist Colony would be transferred to MDA while 14 police stations would be made model after their shifting to their own buildings. He assured the residents of Multan that the projects like Ring Road, Motorway and other roads would be accomplished in shortest possible time. He declared that special budget would be allocated for the uplift of health and education sectors in Multan.
Punjab Minister Ch Abdul Waheed Arain, MNA Javed Ali Shah, MPAs Shahzad MAqbool Bhutta, Sultana Shaheen and Muhammad Ali Khokhar and other notables were also present on this occasion.