CM launches housing scheme for ‘poor people’

[Salman]

CM launches housing scheme for ‘poor people’




LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif on Saturday launched Ashiana Iqbal Housing Scheme for the “poor people”.

He was addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony of Ashiana Iqbal on Burki Road. Provincial ministers, Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor, Haji Ehsanuddin Qureshi, members of national and provincial assemblies, the Punjab Land Development Company (PLDC) chairman and a large number of people were present.

Sharif said, “We have diverted the resources for the welfare of the downtrodden and poor people.”

The Punjab CM said the Punjab government under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif was giving due share to the poor through Ashiana, laptop and yellow cab distribution schemes, Danish School System and other welfare projects. He said that after the success of Ashiana Quaid, Ashiana Iqbal has been launched on Burki Road, adding that a new city comprising 10,000 houses would be set up for the poor people. The CM said that he would continue to serve the poor throughout his life. Sharif announced that a degree college and a university would also be set up in Ashiana Iqbal.

The chief minister said the Punjab government had taken an important step towards making the country a welfare state in accordance with the ideals of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal by providing shelter to the poor people through Ashiana Housing Scheme. For the first time in the country’s history, he said the Punjab government was constructing residential colonies equipped with modern facilities for the poor, widows, orphans, hapless and heirs of the martyrs.

The CM said that early completion of Ashiana Iqbal would be ensured and he will visit the project site twice a week to review the pace of work there. He said that all houses would also be allotted through a transparent balloting. He said basic facilities would also be provided to the residents of the scheme. Sharif thanked all politicians and government officers for providing assistance for the project. The CM also thanked Pak Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani and the rangers director general for making the land available for the project.

Sharif said that rulers of Islamabad were “plundering the national resources ruthlessly”. He reiterated that the plundered money would be recovered and utilised for the welfare of the masses. He said the country would be transformed in accordance with the ideals of the founders. He said the Punjab government was utilising its resources for the welfare of the poor people.

He said that air-conditioned buses were plying in Lahore, adding that these buses would also be plied in other big cities of the province.

PLDC Chairman Sheikh Allauddin, MNA Khawaja Saad Rafique and PLDC Chief Executive Officer Agha Momin also addressed the function.