Rs 1b development projects started in Okara: Pervaiz

LAHORE: Revolutionary programmes for the reduction of poverty are being completed according to President General Pervez Musharraf’s vision, said Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, the Punjab chief minister, while addressing a public meeting at Okara on Saturday.

Elahi said that development projects in health, education, agriculture, livestock and other sectors had been started at Okara at a cost of Rs 1.28 billion. Musharraf presided over the meeting which was attended by Rao Sikandar Iqbal, the federal minister for Defence, Arbab Ghulam Rahim, the chief minister for Sindh, PML leader Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo, Hayat Muhammad Khan Sherpao, the federal Interior minister, federal minister Faisal Saleh Hayat, Afzal Ali Shah Gillani, a former provincial minister, and Sajjad Haider, the nazim for district Okara also spoke on the occasion.

Elahi said that in President General Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan had a brave and patriotic leader. He said that additional resources had become available to the provinces for raising the people’s living standard because of Musharraf’s sagacious policies. He added that the president’s economic policies were bearing fruit at the lower level and due to his leading role the public welfare programme had been accelerated with new spirit and enthusiasm.

Elahi said that Okara was important with regard to its livestock and agriculture. He said that a scheme had been initiated to provide loans up to Rs 50,000 to farmers to purchase cattle. He said that Rs 500 million had been spent under the livestock loans scheme. He added that Pakistan ranked number 5 in the world in milk production and the government was trying to better this sector.

Elahi said that the Opposition’s movement would not affect the development process and the movement would not get the people’s support. He said that the Opposition should adopt a positive attitude and participate in the development programmes initiated by the government. online

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