Expose loan defaulters: Shahbaz

[LahoreEstate]

Monday, November 23, 2009

By our correspondent

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that after releasing the NRO beneficiaries list, now the names of those whose who got heavy loans waived off with the connivance of former rulers should also be made public.

He said that those who misappropriated billions of rupees from the Bank of Punjab were responsible for the present sorry state of affairs in the country. The CM was speaking at a prize distribution ceremony for position-holders of intermediate examination of the Punjab at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Sunday.

He said it was indeed tragic that those who got loans of billions of rupees written off were still leading a luxurious life. He however said he was confident that they would have to pay for their misdeeds.

The CM said despite opposition by the State Bank of Pakistan, Hamish Khan was appointed as head of the Punjab Bank, who looted Rs 9 billion. Despite having name on the ECL, in connivance of Musharraf, he was allowed to flee the country through Peshawar Airport.

He said it was indeed tragic that those who got loans of billions of rupees written off were still leading a luxurious life but he was confident that they would have to pay for their misdeeds. He said it was unfortunate that despite being a talented nation and having natural resources, we were still begging from others and were obeying their orders only for a meagre amount of money. “There is a need to live within our own means instead of looking towards others,” he said.

He said it was need of the hour that grievances of the people of Balochistan should be redressed and their rights upheld. He said on behalf of PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif, he would like to assure Balochi brethren that their due rights would be protected and the PML-N would fight for their cause.

Shahbaz said prosperity of the country depended on prosperity of provinces, adding misunderstandings between provinces would have to be removed and equitable distribution of resources would have to be ensured.

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