Apparel Park control given to PIEDMC
LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif says Quaid-e-Azam Apparel Park, which will be the most modern project of its kind in South Asia, is being set up near motorway and will provide all necessary facilities to textile and garments sector under one-roof.
He said this while presiding over a meeting called to review the progress on the project on Sunday. He said that the project would generate thousands of job opportunities and increase exports, leading to strengthening of national economy. He said best facilities would be made available to investors and industrialists in this park.
According to an official handout, the meeting gave formal approval to handing over the management and development work of Apparel Park project to Punjab Industrial Estate Development and Management Company.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that Pakistan is an agrarian country and the goal of progress and prosperity could be achieved through development of agro-based industry. He said exports of the country are increasing after the awarding of GSP Plus status to Pakistan.
“There is a need to accelerate the process of industrialisation to fully benefit from GSP Plus status given to the country and keeping in view this fact, the Quaid-e-Azam Apparel Park has been evolved. This project is of vital importance and will give an impetus to the process of industrialization,” he held.
Shahbaz Sharif directed that work on the project should be completed without wasting any time. He said that Punjab government had promoted the culture of transparency and all development projects had been completed in a transparent manner. He said that Quaid-e-Azam Apparel Park would be an example of speedy execution and transparency.
He said that a labour colony equipped with modern residential facilities would also be constructed in the park for the convenience of the labourers. He warned that that no delay would be tolerated in the execution of the project.
Chairman Planning and Development gave a detailed briefing regarding Quaid-e-Azam Apparel Park and said that 200 acres land had been allocated for labour colony in the park while construction work of link road has been started.
Provincial Ministers Ch Shafiq, Tanvir Aslam Malik, Member Provincial Assembly Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Additional Chief Secretary Energy, secretaries of C&W, Law, Industries, Labour, Chairman PIDMC and other concerned authorities attended the meeting.
CM inaugurates Apna Rozgar Scheme
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif Thursday inaugurated Apna Rozgar Scheme worth Rs 31 billion under which 50,000 vehicles are being provided to the unemployed youth of the province through transparent computerized balloting.
Addressing a function regarding computerized balloting of vehicles for Lahore division under Apna Rozgar Scheme he said that Apna Rozgar Scheme was free from 'Sifarish', corruption and political interference. He said that under Apna Rozgar Scheme vehicles are being provided on soft terms and Rs 70,000 below the market rate and their markup is also being paid by Punjab government.
He said that Punjab government has taken a number of steps for the progress and empowerment of youth and they have also been focused under Apna Rozgar Scheme.
He said that lakhs of laptops worth billions of rupees have been distributed among youth on merit basis while interest-free loans are also being provided to them.
The chief minister said that rural youth have been provided tractors on concessionary rate while a Youth Commission has also been established for resolving the problems of the youth.
He said that scholarships are being given to 60,000 poor but talented boy and girl students through Punjab Educational Endowment Fund worth 12 billion rupees and they are studying at LUMS, FAST, NUST, Engineering University, medical colleges and other prestigious educational institutions. Shahbaz Sharif said that it was a very important day for him as Apna Rozgar Scheme is being started for the youth. He said that this scheme will help in resolving the problem of unemployment.
He said that unemployment problem has not been solved at the government level anywhere in the world and it is through its policies that a government creates job opportunities in private sector.
The Chief Minister further said that more than 1.5 lakh applications were received under Apna Rozgar Scheme and 50,000 vehicles are being distributed. He said that 10 percent additional quota has been allocated for South Punjab under this scheme.
The Chief Minister inaugurated balloting through pressing a button and computerized list of the winners was issued. He also talked to two lucky winners through his mobile phone and congratulated them on their success in balloting for vehicles under Apna Rozgar Scheme.