RAWALPINDI, Dec 22: Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi here on Sunday announced a development package of Rs100 million for Rawalpindi city under which four schools, four colleges and a 40-bed hospital would be set up.

He made this announcement during his visit to the city in connection with the election campaign of the PML-Q candidate for NA-56 by-elections Sheikh Rashid Shafique, the nephew of Information Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed.

The chief minister said a comprehensive package would shortly be announced for all major cities of the province, including Rawalpindi. This would be in addition to the announcement made on Sunday, he said, and added that his government would specially focus on the development of major urban centres.

“We would specifically focus on short-term projects that could be completed in two years and provide immediate relief to the masses,” he said.

He said his government would place special emphasis on creation of new job opportunities to tackle the aggravating problem of unemployment. He said he had requested business leaders of the province to expand businesses and create employment opportunities for which the government would provide them numerous incentives.

He said the Punjab government would promote small and medium industries for stimulating the country’s economy.

The chief minister said the provincial government would announce a revolutionary education package next week for introducing sweeping changes in the education sector.

Hinting at changes in the autonomy ordinance for hospitals, he said: “We would follow a policy that caters best for the rights of patients and doctors.”

He said the hardships created by the ordinance would be redressed.

Without identifying anyone, he said he was asked not to talk to doctors and professors protesting against the setting up of BoGs in hospitals. But, he said he started a dialogue with the doctors and professors and constituted a commission to review the establishment of BoGs.

Mr Elahi said he was determined to change the outlook of the police, but without ruffling any feathers. This revamping of police culture, he said, would start from the cities and some would be selected as model cities for this purpose. He said he was fully cognizant of the difficulties being faced by the common man due to price hike.

“We would try our level best to reduce the prices of essential commodities,” he added.

About the franchised transport system, he said his government would like to review the agreement to assuage the reservations of the private transporters, but in accordance with the legal requirements.

APP ADDS: Mr Elahi said the provincial planning and development department had been directed to formulate programmes for the welfare of the people which should be completed within a period of two years.

Interest has been reduced from 13 to nine per cent for agri- equipment and 13 to seven per cent on agri-loans for fertilizers, pesticides and seeds, he said.

The chief minister said: “I have requested the business community during a meeting with them last week to set up small industries in the province and has been assured that the Punjab government will give them maximum relief,” he added.

Adviser to Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz has also been requested to prepare public-friendly policies, particularly for small and medium-scale industries, he said.

He said: “We have decided to resolve all problems of the people and steps would be taken for speedy justice to the poor.”

The chief minister asked the people to vote for the PML-Q candidate, Sheikh Rashid Shafique, in the by-elections and prove that Rawalpindi was a stronghold of the PML-Q.

On the occasion, District Nazim Raja Tariq Kiani thanked the chief minister for his visit to the city and hoped that the province would prosper under his leadership.

The PML-Q candidate, Sheikh Rashid Shafique, also thanked the chief minister and asked him to redress the problems of the people as early as possible.