PM terms groundbreaking of South Punjab secretariat a new beginning

South Punjab would get due job quota according to its size, population: PM

MULTAN (Dunya News) - Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday said that establishment of South Punjab secretariat was a step towards new beginning as now, the allocated development funds would be spent on the prosperity of the people of this neglected area.

Addressing a groundbreaking ceremony of South Punjab Secretariat, the prime minister said that according to statistics, the area consisted of 33 per cent population of Punjab province, but in the past only 17 per cent of the budget allocation was made.

Due to re-allocation of these uplift funds, about Rs260 billion losses incurred on these areas by the policies of the previous rulers of the province, he added.

The prime minister said they had also decided that South Punjab would get its due job quota according to its size and population. All the issues of the area would be resolved in the secretariat.

He said “South Punjab secretariat is a historical event, a new beginning for South Punjab province and a transition.”

The ceremony was attended by Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, ministers Khusru Bakhtiar, Fakhar Imam, Zartaj Gul, provincial ministers and other high officials.

Criticizing self-centered policies of former rulers of Takht-e-Lahore especially ex-chief minister Shahbaz Sharif towards the South Punjab people, the prime minister shared that he had entered into politics after witnessing that a small segment, a ruling elite was enjoying all powers and impunity.

“Laws have been different for them as they frequently indulged in corruption, deals and NROs. No law of the land was applicable on them. They lived in palatial houses abroad which they had purchased through money laundering,” he added.

The prime minister said these people had been living in posh areas of London where even a British minister could not afford to purchase a property.

About the deprivation and poverty of South Punjab, the prime minister said he brought Chief Minister Usman Buzar so that he could implement his vision over the area.

He wanted a person who preferred to live and die in Pakistan and understood the sufferings of common man and did not go to London on sojourns, he added.

In a veiled reference to former ruling elite, the prime minister said they had been doing politics in Pakistan and making investment abroad.

The prime minister said performance of a chief minister was judged on the basis of how much he had lifted the weaker segments of society and lauded chief minister Sardar Usman Buzdar for making efforts in this regard. 

Govt s historic initiative of Kisan Card to transform agri sector

Earlier Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the government s historic initiative of Kisan Card will transform the agriculture sector in Pakistan, making farmers prosperous.

Addressing Kisan Card distribution ceremony in Multan on Monday, he said the farmers, thorough this card, will get subsidized fertilizers, seeds and pesticides besides low-interest loans and compensation for damaged crops in case of any natural calamity.

The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the Kisan Card scheme will bring about a revolution in the country by making the life of farmers easy through use of technology, enhancing agricultural production and saving foreign exchange. He said it will also contribute to poverty reduction particularly in rural areas.

Imran Khan said the PTI government has been working on various programmes for agricultural development in the country. He said a 300 billion transformation plan has already been announced for the purpose.

The Prime Minister said in addition to two major dams, small dams are also being constructed to ensure better water supply for crops. He said the irrigation system is also being improved.

Imran Khan said agriculture has been made part of the CPEC project for enhancing agricultural production through use of Chinese technology. He said seed research institutions are being revamped, and efforts are underway for local production of pulses, edible oil and soybean.

The Prime Minister said farmers will be trained to increase the agricultural production. He said forty billion rupees have been allocated to increase production of milk in the country. For reducing losses of vegetables, fruits and grains; storages and food processing plants will be established.

Imran Khan said the government plans to take steps to considerably enhance production of various agricultural products, including wheat, rice, corn, pulses, fruits, vegetables and fisheries.

He said he himself will supervise the work on the plan aimed at developing agriculture sector in the country.

Addressing the event, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said that, under pilot project of Kisan Card, farmers can purchase seed, fertilizers and pesticides from the registered dealers on subsidized rates.

The Chief Minister said farmers can also avail low-interest loans easily and their crops would also be insured using this card. He said subsidy is also being provided on agricultural machinery and solar system. He said 30,000 service centers have been established across the province where farmers will be facilitated for getting Kisan Card.

He said under this pilot project a subsidy of 17 billion rupees will be provided to farmers in collaboration with the federal government. He said the provision of direct subsidy to growers is aimed to ensure transparency.

The Chief Minister said that eight thousand more land record centers including 3000 in South Punjab are being established in the province.

Usman Buzdar said the government has started Agricultural Emergency Program with allocation of 300 billion rupees and it is being implemented on fast-track. He said Punjab government is providing subsidy of 47 billion rupees on provision of agri-machinery.

He said Agri-policy has been launched in the province and works on agricultural reforms is underway on fast-track.