May 01, 2008	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 24, 1429

DERA GHAZI KHAN, April 30: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Dost Muhammad Khosa has announced a grant of Rs380 million for the provision of gas to Rajanpur, Rojhan and Mithankot.

He made this announcement while addressing a public meeting at Rojhan on Wednesday.

Former prime minister Sardar Mir Balakh Sher Mazari, Punjab PML-N president Sirdar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa, MNA Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari, MPA Sardar Shaukat Mazari, district naib nazim Shamsher Ali Mazari and elite of the area were present on this occasion.

The chief minister said all basic facilities, including clean drinking water, health, education and communication would be provided to the people of south Punjab.

Mir Balakh Sher Mazari also hosted a reception in the honour of the chief minister and his father Sirdar Zulfiqar Ali Khosa.

Later presiding over a meeting of the officers, the chief minister directed them to redress problems of the people on a priority basis. He warned that strict action would be taken against the officers for showing poor performance.

While talking to newsmen at Rajanpur, Khosa said those who looted the national exchequer would not be spared and warned that corrupt officers would be dealt with an iron hand.

He said more water reservoirs were needed to overcome the problem of shortage of electricity , however, there should be consensus over building of Kalabagh Dam.

The chief minister said special attention would be given to the development of Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah and Muzaffargarh districts.

Rajanpur naib tehsil nazim Sardar Dar Muhammad Khan Dareshak and chief of Gurchani clan, Sardar Farooq Ahmed Khan Gurchani also hosted receptions in the honour of the chief minister at Rajanpur and Laal Garah.

Meanwhile, the chief minister, during a briefing at the office of National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) announced that school health programme would be started in DG Khan district.

On the demand of journalists, Sardar Dost Khosa announced Rs200,000 special grant for Jampur Press Club.

Earlier, ex-governor Sirdar Zulfiqar Khosa lauded the PML-N workers for their struggle for the party and the cause of democracy. He reiterated the importance of an independent judiciary for bright future of the country.

MPAs Sher Ali Gurchani, Sardar Athar Hassan Gurchani, PML-N provincial vice-president Sardar Hassam Javed Gurchani, and district president Abdur Rasheed Baloch also spoke on the occasion.

They sought construction of mini dams to control water of hill torrents to benefit the agriculture sector. They also sought status of tehsil for tribal area and to declare Muhammadpur and Fazalpur as a joint tehsil besides Sui gas facility for Rajanpur. They also demanded district status for Jampur tehsil. — APP