Dera Ghazi Khan (Web Desk/Agencies): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday announced establishment of a cancer hospital in Dera Ghazi (DG) Khan and a university in Rajanpur.
Addressing a public gathering in DG Khan, the premier reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to ensuring equitable progress for all areas of Pakistan, with a special emphasis on the development of South Punjab.
PM Shehbaz said when the government first took office, the nation was grappling with an inflation rate that had surpassed 40%.
“However, through strong leadership and strategic pro-development policies led by Nawaz Sharif, the inflation rate was reduced to below 2.4%, while interest rates were brought down to 12%, benefiting business owners, farmers, and investors alike,” PM Shehbaz said.
Speaking in the local Saraiki dialect, the prime minister reflected on his personal ties to the region, recalling his efforts during the devastating floods of 2010.
He emphasized his commitment to alleviating the suffering of the people and pledged that both Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz were working tirelessly to improve the entire province, with a particular focus on South Punjab.
PM Shehbaz said that throughout his previous terms in office, he had worked on multiple fronts to support the region, such as establishing Danish schools, providing free medicines, setting up hospitals, offering scholarships, and allocating special quotas for youth in various sectors.
He also announced new initiatives, including the construction of a cancer hospital in DG Khan and the establishment of a university in Rajanpur.
The prime minister said that an era of progress and prosperity had dawned upon the area in which the youth would get jobs opportunities.
PM Shehbaz also reiterated that relying on foreign loans would not be a sustainable solution to Pakistan’s economic challenges.
Instead, he pledged that the government would continue to work diligently, without borrowing from abroad, to ensure the country’s progress.
The prime minister expressed confidence that, through sustained effort, the economy could stabilize, and the backward areas could flourish.
In addition to his economic promises, PM Shehbaz acknowledged the sacrifices made by Pakistan’s security forces in the fight against terrorism, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan.
He underscored that the nation’s progress could only be achieved if terrorism was eliminated, and he called for unity in the face of those who sought to disrupt the peace and stability of the country.
Federal Minister for Power, Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, welcomed the prime minister, thanking him for his commitment to the development of the region.
Leghari praised the leadership of the prime minister for stabilizing inflation, securing national interests, and alleviating the financial burden on the poor.
He also noted that the Rs131 billion development package for South Punjab would play a key role in enhancing the region’s infrastructure, signaling an era of growth and prosperity.