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LAYYAH, Jan 7: Pakistan People’s Party Patriot’s MNA Malik Niaz Ahmed Jhakhar has ditched his party and announced his joining the ruling Pakistan Muslim League. He announced this on the occasion of Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi’s tour to Layyah on Sunday.
Mr Elahi after landing in Layyah went to the residence of Layyah Tehsil Nazim Malik Iftikhar Ahmed Jhakhar and met Mr Niaz. During the meeting he agreed to join the PML.
Later, Mr Jhakhar addressed a public meeting with Mr Elahi and made his decision public. Mr Elahi praised the “political wisdom” of Mr Jhakhar.
Mr Jhakhar was elected as Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians MNA in 2002 elections.
IRRIGATION PROJECTS: The Punjab government has lunched a Rs40.5 billion irrigation project that also includes three irrigation schemes in south Punjab, said Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi while addressing a public meeting in Layyah on Sunday.
Mr Elahi said that the project was a major component of his water vision to modernise the irrigation system to materialise his Sar Sabz Punjab Programme. He said under the project Rs7.5 billion would be spent on the second phase of Thal Canal Remodelling Project, Rs6 billion on the rehabilitation of Jinnah Barrage and Rs11 billion on the Taunsa Barrage Rehabilitation Programme.
“A green revolution is linked with ending rotation in the irrigation network,” he said. He also announced a project worth Rs1.5 billion for the development of Layyah.
The project includes a Rs700 million milk processing plant; provision of 44 milk chillers costing Rs44 million; Rs150 million for roads in the riverside; Rs150 million for an education collage; and Rs300 million for a 125-bed ward at the DHQ Hospital.
He also announced the upgrading of Chowk Azam and Fatehpur as sub tehsils. He also approved a paramedical school and a stadium.
He announced reduction in abiana rates or irrigation charges for the Kharif crop from Rs85 to Rs50 while from Rs50 to Rs30 for the Rabi in Layyah, Bhakkar, Muzaffargarh, Khushab and Mianwali.
The chief minister also criticised the opposition and said any party that boycott the next elections would be out of the Pakistani politics for goods.
