LAHORE, June 27: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi on Tuesday announced that every Punjab PML MPA would be president of the party in his or her constituency, asking them to let their electorate feel their presence. He said he would individually meet MPAs of every district of the province, asking them to maintain a close liaison with the people and resolve their problems.

The chief minister was presiding over the parliamentary party meeting of the PML here at his secretariat. Law Minister Basharat Raja and PML secretary-general Chaudhry Zaheeruddin were also present.

He said welfare of the people was the main element of the government policy, and MPAs should devote themselves for the resolution of their problems.

He congratulated MPAs on approval of the provincial budget 2006-07 and said record funds had been allocated in it for providing basic amenities to people.

The chief minister said a policy had been devised for optimum utilisation of funds allocated in the budget, and for expeditiously completing all development schemes. The government’s development strategy was based on getting positive results from the allocated resources.

He said the government was improving education, health, water and sanitation and other sectors relating to progress of the province on a priority basis, allocating huge funds for them in the budget.

INDIAN MINISTER: Meanwhile, Indian Punjab Sports Minister Gurmit Singh Sodi and his wife called on Pervaiz Elahi and discussed with him bilateral relations and sports activities.