Lahore, May 24 (TNS): An inaugural ceremony was held under the chair of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar at 90-Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam here today. Usman Buzdar, while addressing the inaugural ceremony, said that Punjab Growth Strategy 2023 will determine the direction of economic development. Fruits of progress will reach to every citizen of Punjab, he added. We believe in public service, not for winning the elections, but for the blessing of Almighty Allah. He said that Growth Strategy 2023 will present the holistic strategy to cope with basic problems being faced by the people. Growth Strategy 2023 is a way of people’s welfare and real development. He said that all the promises made by the PTI in its manifesto will be fulfilled. Special attention is being paid to reforms in education, healthcare, agriculture and other affairs. We want completion of CPEC projects and development of backward areas. Eradication of unemployment and generating abundant opportunities of employment are our main targets. The Chief Minister said that 8.8 percent reduction will be made in unemployment in the next five years. Provision of 12 lakh jobs annually is our target.
He said that by 2023, the government wants to decrease the poverty line from 26.2 percent to 19.5 percent. six lakh and 40 thousand houses will be constructed annually in the next five years under the Apna Ghar Scheme. The scope of Apna Ghar Scheme will soon be expanded to the other districts of Punjab. He said that Punjab is striving for the success of Prime Minister of Pakistan’s mission. Quality of medical education and management of the hospitals will be improved. New hospitals will be constructed besides upgrading the old hospitals and health centers. New technology will be fully utilized for the provision of basic healthcare facilities. The investment will be made for the construction and repairing of schools, provision of facilities and improving the infrastructure. 4 thousand schools will be reconstructed. Electricity or solar lights will be provided in more than three thousand schools and science laboratories and electronic libraries will be established in 27 thousand schools. Shelter workshops will be set up for the blind people and degree colleges will be established in the special education sector. Work is being carried out for providing potable water in the rural areas of Punjab. Availability of nine million acres feet additional water for irrigation will be ensured. Industries, agriculture and livestock sectors will also be upgraded. Agri produce will be increased by promoting smart agriculture. Special attention will be paid for the real development of backward areas in Growth Strategy 2023. He said that southern Punjab is facing shortage of resources due to trends of investment in specific areas. Special attention will be paid on health, education and communications sectors in backward areas. Backward areas are being awarded status of special economic zones for grabbing the attention of investors. Industrial estate of Vehari, Rahim Yar Khan and Bahawalpur will be developed. He said that tall claims of progress and development were made in the past besides throwing the mics away in the excitement of speech. People’s sentiments were exploited by the rulers who were ruling for decades on Punjab and their self-claim development was limited on the Tv screen and newspapers. Graph of employment and exports were decreased. He said that rulers of the past are totally unaware of the utilization of funds for real development. The ceremony was also addressed by provincial minister for finance Hashim Jawan Bakht, advisor to economic affairs and planning Dr. Salman Shah, renowned economist Dr. Hafeez Pasha and chairman P&D, special advisor to PM Firdous Ashiq Awan, provincial ministers, assembly members, experts, high ranking officers and people from various walks of life were also present on the occasion
