Staff Reporter
LAHORE: Announcing enhancement in loan grant through Kissan Card from Rs150,000 to Rs300,000 and a subsidy up to 95 percent on the solarization of agricultural tube wells, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif also announced provision of green tractors on a subsidy to 20,000 farmers next year along with the establishment of rental agriculture machinery centres in every tehsil.
She announced launching of an SMS and a helpline system for farmers who do not possess Kissan Card.
The Chief Minister while addressing a ceremony at Kalashah Kaku Rice Research Institute congratulated the farmers on the success of Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos. She paid tribute to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief General Asim Munir, every officer and soldier of the Pakistan Army. She commended the performance of Rangers, Police, Civil Defense, administration and all government institutions.
She said, “Pakistan is proud of its armed forces and the nation stood united and played an important role for the security of our country. Our survival exists with the existence of Pakistan. May Almighty bless our country till eternity, when it comes to national security there should be no disagreement and disunity among our ranks. The politics of hatred caused great damage to Pakistan. When the politics of hatred ended, Pakistan started treading on the path of progress and prosperity once again.”
She highlighted, “When the war started, our enemy used to say that it is a small country and the people living there keep fighting among themselves. Almighty helped and we defeated the enemy. Almighty’s help does not come to those who create ill will and hatred. The political, military leadership, the public and the media lent full support to all stakeholders during the war.”
She maintained, “On behalf of our farmers and the citizens, we salute the political and military leadership. It was not a war of borders but a war of ideology and sentiments. After the victory in the war, Pakistan is being recognized as a strong and powerful country across the globe. China, Turkiye and Central Asian countries by maintaining a firm stand with Pakistan is a historic victory.”
She added, “Those who predicted the collapse of Pakistan’s economy are now calling it a miracle. The economy of Pakistan is showing a positive turnover in a short span of time due to sincere leadership. The reduction of inflation from 40 percent to almost zero is no less than a miracle. During my visit to Lahore, a woman congratulated me on the reduction in vegetable prices. Onions, which used to sell at Rs300 per kg in Punjab, are now available at Rs50.”
The CM said, “Owing to the reduction in the prices of flour and roti, it has become easier for the poor to have both ends meal. Due to poor performance of previous incompetent government, electricity bills increased sharply. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is working hard to bring down electricity rates. Owing to reduction in electricity rates, electricity bills will also come down. Overseas Pakistanis were prevented from sending remittances to Pakistan, but with the help of Allah Almighty, record foreign remittances are sent to Pakistan.”
