CM announces Rs 107 million for Aiwan-e-Quaid-e-Azam

* Project aimed at propagation of quaid’s ideals among youth

* First phase to be completed by March 30, 2013

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif announced funds of Rs 107 million on behalf of the Punjab government for construction of Aiwan-e-Quaid-e-Azam, to be constructed over an area of 48 kanals in Johar Town.

He said the place would serve as a platform for the youth to achieve objectives of the Pakistan Movement by arming themselves with the ideals of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal.

The CM was addressing a meeting to review the ongoing project of Aiwan-e-Quaid-e-Azam on Friday. Senior Adviser Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa, Nazaria-e-Pakistan Trust Chairman Majid Nizami, Vice Chairman Dr Rafique Ahmad, Lahore commissioner, LDA director general and members of Nazaria-e-Pakistan Trust attended the meeting.

The CM hoped that the project would serve as an effective think tank for propagation of the ideals of Quaid-e-Azam and the objectives of Pakistan Movement. He said that there was a need to apprise the young generation of the struggle that went into the making of Pakistan and the supreme sacrifices made during the process.

He said there was a need to apprise the young generation of the supreme sacrifices and heroic struggle for freedom so that the youngsters could set national targets for the future in the light of Pakistan Movement for creation of a strong and prosperous Pakistan.

Shahbaz said that it was necessary to achieve self-reliance and shed the charity of aghyaar in order to achieve goals of progress and prosperity.

He said that through Aiwan-e-Quaid-e-Azam, the young generation should also be guided to rid the country of foreign dictation and charity of aghyaar.

He lamented the fact that corruption was rampant in the country and funds of billions of rupees were being misappropriated while the people were facing brutal load-shedding of electricity and gas.

He said that though Punjab was facing shortage of funds due to “machinations of the federal government”, still generous cooperation would be extended for the project which was of vital importance.

Earlier, Nazaria-e-Pakistan Trust Vice Chairman Dr Rafique Ahmad informed the meeting about important features of the project. He said that the project will cost 94 crore rupees and its first phase would be completed by March 30, 2013