From Abid Usman
LAHORE: Information ministers of Punjab Azma Bokhari and Sindh Senior Minister for Information Sharjeel Inam Memon exchanged tirade on Saturday over the canals project on the Indus river.
A day earlier, PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also rejected the canal project on the Indus river, terming it as unilateral.
The army chief, along with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, federal and provincial ministers and others, inaugurated the Cholistan projects on February 15.
Talking to media today, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said the PPP chairman’s statement during the rally did not present a solution to the problem.
She said that if PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari should have spared some time to find a solution to the canal problem.
She further said that President Asif Ali Zardari gave approval for the projects.
“It is documented, it is signed,” Bukhari added and reiterated that the PPP was doing politics on the issue, calling it “unfortunate”.
In response, Sindh Senior Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon questioned whether Bokhari understood the president’s mandate.
“Have you [Bokhari] read the Constitution? Do you know how to read the Constitution?” Memon lashed out while speaking to the media.
Earlier, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir expressed resolve that the Pakistan Army would continue its support in economic development of the country.
The army chief, along with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, federal and provincial ministers and others, visited Green Pakistan Initiative projects in Cholistan.
Addressing a gathering, the COAS said Punjab had emerged as an agricultural powerhouse of Pakistan. He appreciated the leadership role of Punjab and farmers in modern agriculture.
He said the achievements made in a short period of time under the Green Corporate Program were encouraging and a harbinger of progress.
The COAS and the Punjab chief minister also inaugurated the Smart Agri Farm, Green Agri Malls, and the Agri Research Facilitation Center.
During the visit, participants were also briefed on modern agricultural machinery used for the development of the agriculture sector.
To promote modern irrigation systems, 25 Green Agri Malls have been established across the province, with plans to complete 250 such malls across the country by the end of the year.
Additionally, a modern agricultural farm covering 5,000 acres has been launched under the project.
The Green Agri Mall and Services Company will provide farmers with quality seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides at discounted prices. Farmers will also have access to agricultural machinery, including drones, at discounted rental rates.
The chief minister said the foundation for a revolution in modern agriculture had been laid in Cholistan and Punjab.
She said the development of agriculture was the guarantee of farmers’ progress and the prosperity in Pakistan.
