LAHORE:Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi on Friday laid foundation stone of Arfa Twin Towers project in the city.

He was given a briefing on the project to be built at an estimated cost of Rs12 billion. He said the state-of-the-art project would be executed on the land adjacent to the Arfa Karim IT Park.

He said the motive behind the twin towers project, that would house offices of national and international companies, was to promote software industry that would provide employment to the youth.

The CM said the 17-storey towers would not only provide a shelter to the technology echo system, but also generate revenue. He said the technology echo system was a backbone for the economies of various countries. He said Pakistan could not afford to lag behind in the IT field, adding it was his dream that the latest facilities should be provided to the sector.

Meanwhile, addressing a ceremony to give cheques to bar associations, the chief minister said Pakistan would make great progress under Imran Khan because he was all worried about the betterment of the common man.

He said the Sharif family ruled over the country for such a long period, but now it could not move freely on roads for fear of people’s reaction.

“More than five years of (development) work have been done in the last five months, and for this reason, it is time to strengthen the hands of Imran Khan.”

The chief minister insisted that serving the religion was Imran’s vision, on which we worked tirelessly. According to the vision of Imran Khan, the Punjab government incorporated Aqeeda-i-Khatam-i-Nabuwat (SAW) in the marriage certificate and also established Khatamun Nabiyeen (SAW) University. Nazra and Quranic translation were declared mandatory for the students, and without reciting the Quran, no one can become a doctor, engineer or lawyer.

The book on which Khatamun Nabiyeen (SAW) is not written before the holy name of Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) will be confiscated.

He said if the grievances of the common man are not timely redressed, the question is raised about the system. Respect for the judiciary is highly essential, as only courts can grant justice.

Cheques for Rs200m were being distributed on behalf of the Punjab government to the Supreme Court Bar, Punjab Bar, High Court Bar, and district and tehsil bars.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2023