Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in a meeting with Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb discussed the countrys economic challenges and vowed to pull Pakistan out of economic crisis through joint efforts. Muhammad Aurangzeb congratulated the Chief Minister on assuming charge of her office, and termed her election as country’s first female Chief Minister as a great milestone in the democratic history of Pakistan, according to a handout issued here Monday.
The Federal Finance Minister hailed Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s initiatives for social welfare of the people. On this occasion, the Chief Minister thanked Muhammad Aurangzeb for the good words. She also congratulated him on assuming charge as Federal Finance Minister, and expressed her best wishes for his success. She hoped that Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb would take people-friendly decisions for economic turnaround of the country. Provincial Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, and Former Senator Pervaiz Rashid were also present.
Moreover, Happy Holi to Hindu community around the world, especially in Pakistan, said Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif while congratulating Hindu community on the festival of Holi. The Chief Minister expressed her best wishes for the Hindu community on this blissful occasion of Holi. She added, I share your joy on this joyous occasion. The Chief Minister remarked that the Hindu community is playing a valuable role in the economic development of Pakistan. She added that all those living in Pakistan are one, peace will shine in the colors of Holi. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif highlighted, The PML-N government believes in equality, justice and fairness. May the festival of Holi be a source of tolerance, happiness, peace and prosperity.”
On the instructions of the Chief Minister Punjab, the provincial government is successfully continuing the Nighaban Ramzan package for providing relief to deserving families during the holy month of fasting and so far 4.8 million ration bags have been delivered to the needy people at their doorsteps. Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman chaired an important meeting held at the Civil Secretariat to review the Ramzan package and price control measures. The administrative secretaries of departments of industries, agriculture, additional IG Special Branch, Chairman PITB and officers concerned attended the meeting, while the additional chief secretary, all divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners participated through video link. Officials briefed the meeting that 6,132 person were arrested and 2109 cases were registered in the crackdown over profiteers in Ramzan, and the price magistrates checked nine hundred thousand places and imposed fines of Rs. 75 million over violations. The Chief Secretary said that the delivery of ration bags at doorsteps under the Ramzan package was a big challenge, adding that the role of administrative officers in the successful implementation of the program was commendable. He also praised the Punjab Information Technology Board for ensuring transparency in the Ramzan package through digital monitoring. The meeting decided that certificates of appreciation would be issued to the 10 best performing districts in connection with delivery of ration bags. The secretaries of industries and agriculture gave a detailed briefing at the meeting. They said that on the directives of the Chief Minister Punjab, the crackdown on profiteers was underway across the province. They said that due to effective monitoring and administrative measures, the prices of potatoes, tomatoes .
