03 September 2004	Friday	17 Rajab 1425

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

ISLAMABAD, Sept 2: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday said the government would come up to the expectations of masses and take along all the provinces in the process of development.

He stated this in a meeting with Punjab Governor Lt-Gen (retired) Khalid Maqbool here. He said the economic reforms agenda introduced by President Gen Pervez Musharraf for the prosperity of the country would be carried ahead and completed by taking more concrete steps.

The prime minister said further betterment would be possible in all sectors of the economy by ensuring justice to the people, improving law and order situation, reducing unemployment and implementing the merit system.

He said the problems encountered by the country would be solved through availability of more foreign investment under a congenial atmosphere. He said every one would have to work honestly with the spirit of team work to ensure good governance and to brighten the country's name in the international community.

Mr Aziz also appreciated the steps taken by the Punjab government for the development of the province. The governor congratulated Mr Aziz on assuming the new office and expressed the hope that the country would see development in various fields under his leadership.

The prime minister and the governor also discussed issues pertaining to economic development, investment in strengthening of judicial system, qualitative improvement in the agriculture sector, development of communication infrastructure, higher education, increase in power generation and rehabilitation of distribution system of electricity, and provision of sui gas in urban areas of Punjab.

Issues pertaining to the provision of loans for growth of agriculture sector, small loans through Khushhali Bank for visible impacts, provision of wireless local loops system of the Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation in rural areas and towns of Punjab, encouragement of savings through national savings, and rationalization of pension rates were also discussed during the meeting.

Mr Maqbool apprised the prime minister about the achievements of the provincial government and the steps taken for overall socio-economic uplift of the people, enhancement of primary and higher education facilities and improved medical facilities in the province.

He said the Punjab government had initiated a number of "revolutionary" uplift programmes and schemes in urban and rural areas. The governor also said Mr Aziz's election as prime minister would prove fruitful for the country.