LAHORE: Prime Minister Imran Khan Saturday said elimination of corruptpractices in Punjab was one of the biggest challenges and stressed upon thePunjab cabinet members to make it their first priority to identify corruptpractices and take strict action against the corrupt elements.
The prime minister was discussing various reforms with the provincialcabinet members after his arrival at the CM Secretariat.
He said performance of the Punjab government should be a trend setter forrest of the provinces.
Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed serious concern over land grabbing andencroachments in the province in general and Lahore in particular. Hedirected that mafias and big groups, who had been involved in encroachmentsand land grabbing, must be taken to task.
He directed the chief minister to immediately launch an anti-encroachmentdrive and take action against land grabbers, and assured his fullestsupport to the provincial government in that regard.
The prime minister emphasized the need of austerity and simplicity, andsaid that the cabinet members should set an example while remaining at theforefront to remove extravagance on taxpayers’ money at all levels.
“We must invest on human development while rationalising our expendituressimultaneously with austerity and simplicity because Pakistan has thelowest Human Development Index in the region,” a press release quoted theprime minister as saying.
Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar warmly welcomed the primeminister on behalf of the provincial cabinet and reaffirmed the commitmentto implement Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s reforms and development agenda of a‘Naya Pakistan’.
The prime minister felicitated the provincial cabinet members on assumingtheir portfolios and said huge responsibility lay on their shoulders asPunjab was the biggest province of the country in terms of population. Heurged the provincial cabinet to work tirelessly for implementation of 100days agenda of the present government to bring a visible change in thesocio-economic spheres of the people’s lives.
He said he would be frequently visiting the province and would remain atthe forefront to oversee the First 100 Days Agenda.
The cabinet members also shared their ideas and proposals, concerning theirdepartments, with the prime minister.
Earlier, the prime minister held a meeting with the Punjab chief minister.He also planted a sapling upon arrival at the Chief Minister Secretariat. -APP