LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday said that time has come for holding those accountable who looted Pakistan and deposited national wealth in Swiss banks or purchased properties in Dubai.
Addressing a ceremony, he said that all these would be held accountable and it was the voice of the nation that those who looted Pakistan should not be forgiven at any cost. He said that it was amazing that the persons involved in corruption were raising slogans of accountability.
He said that every penny would be recovered from those who looted Pakistan ruthlessly. He also said that innocent people were dying in the incidents of terrorism and elites were leading a luxurious life while children of common man were still deprived of education and health facilities.
Earlier, the chief minister inaugurated the Kahna Flyover constructed at the Kahna Kacha Defence Road Railway Crossing. This 1.5 kilometres long flyover has been constructed in a record period and three billion rupees of national exchequer have been saved through private investment in this public welfare project, he said.
He said that the money saved in this project would be spent on education, health, potable water and improvement of other social sectors. He announced to reduce toll of flyover for vehicles from Rs 35 to Rs 30 and said that no toll fee would be charged from the people of the area and they would be issued free passes in this regard.
“This flyover is 100 feet wide and consists of two lanes and 9000 vehicles will daily pass from here,” he added. About six feet wide footpaths have also been constructed on both sides for the pedestrians. The Defence Road is an important link road between Multan Road, Raiwind Road, Ferozpur Road and DHA.
Due to movement of trains on main line of the Pakistan Railway, the gates of this railway crossing are often closed as a result of which the traffic has to wait for a long time. With the construction of this flyover, time of commuters and vehicles will be saved.
He said that agreement has been signed with the Frontier Works Organisation for the construction of south part of the Lahore Ring Road on Built Operate Transfer (BOT) basis and its construction work would be completed till August 14 next year at a cost of Rs 25 billion.
Shahbaz said it was responsibility of the contractors working on projects to bring new machinery and equipment for development projects so that these schemes could be completed with high quality in a record period. At a time when Pakistan has been put on the road to progress and prosperity, some opponents were out to stop this journey and wanted to create hindrance in the way of development through sit-ins, he said.
The chief minister inaugurated Kahna Flyover after unveiling the plaque and took a round of flyover on his vehicle and appreciated the authorities concerned on quality construction.
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