LAHORE: Mr Mohammad Haneef Ramay was this evening [March 15] sworn in as Chief Minister of the Punjab, after being elected unopposed at a special session of the Punjab Assembly. … The oath of office and secrecy to the new Chief Minister was administered by provincial Governor, Mr Sadiq Hussain, at a ceremony held in the Darbar Hall of the Governor House. …

Addressing the House Mr Ramay said his Government would not allow anybody to put the clock back but would continue its march on the road to Islamic Socialism. He said that some elements were trying to kick up religious sectarianism, rural-urban differences and other petty prejudices, but his Government would resist their retrogressive designs under ... Prime Minister Bhutto. …

Referring to the problems faced by the province, Mr Ramay said he was a village-born son of a poor peasant, who had come to the City to work as a labourer. He had intimate knowledge of the rural as well as the urban population. He also knew the philosophy that could resolve the problems. He said his leader Quaid-e-Awam Z.A. Bhutto … had taught him to take a progressive, judicious and humanist approach.

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2024