Economic uplift top priority, says governor

LAHORE:Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider said that economic development in the country is the top priority of the government. He said that due to political stability in the country economic indicators, including stock exchange are improving. He said that the government is determined to promote investment in the country and provide facilities to the industrial sector.

The governor expressed these views while talking to Khawaja Jalaluddin Rumi, a well-known industrialist, former president of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, who called on Punjab governor here at Governor’s House on Wednesday.

The governor appreciated the social services of Jalaluddin Rumi. During the meeting, various issues, including education and national economy were discussed. Punjab governor said that the promotion of industries will create employment opportunities and the economy will improve. He said that as chancellor, he has taken steps for the improvement of governance in the universities. He further said that search committees have been formed for the appointment of permanent vice-chancellors in universities.

He expressed the hope that the permanent appointment of vice-chancellors and other statutory posts in the universities will improve quality of research and teaching in the universities. Kh Jalaluddin Rumi said that industrialists foster employment opportunities for a large population in the society. He said that the government needs to pay immediate attention to the problems of industrialists. In addition to the reduction in electricity and gas rates, there is an urgent need to revise the markup of banks.

The delegations of PPP Sargodha, PPP Students Federation Punjab and PPP Minority Wing met Punjab governor at the Governor’s House. During the meeting, General Secretary Pakistan People's Party Central Punjab Hasan Murtaza and Information Secretary, Shahzad Saeed Cheema were also present.

Tasneem Qureshi from Sargodha, PSF President Musa Khokhar and Imran Athwal and Edwin Sohotra from the Minority Wing of the People's Party led their respective delegations in the meeting.

Speaking on this occasion, the governor said that he is not only governor of People's Party, but the governor of the entire Punjab. He said that the People's Party has always given respect to his workers. He said that he will play a constitutional role for the improvement of Punjab. He said that all the parties should forget their differences and work day and night for the development and stability of the country.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Prof Dr Khalid Masood Gondal called on Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan on Wednesday. Prof Khalid Masood Gondal briefed the governor on the improvement in the University's ranking, the assistance provided to flood-affected areas across the country, especially in south Punjab, and the enhancement of research and academic standards.

The governor expressed his satisfaction with the University's performance and directed further improvements in quality, standards, and patients care. He also emphasised enhancing patients care at district level hospitals.