Shahbaz pays surprise visit to brick kilns

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif went to village Jiya Bagga, 33 kilometers from Lahore, without any prior intimation and landed his helicopter near a brick kiln.

The purpose of the surprise visit of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif was to review implementation of the decisions regarding elimination of child labour from brick kilns. He reviewed the situation at three different brick kilns of the village for several hours and also talked to the labourers. Talking to the Chief Minister, the brick kiln workers said that the decision of Muslim League-N government to rid the children of labour at brick kilns and to give them a monthly scholarship of one thousand rupees and a stipend of two thousand rupees to their parents is a poor-friendly step of the Muslim League-N government.

They said that it will also change the destiny of their families and save them from the oppressive system. The Chief Minister expressed strong indignation at seeing a 13-year-old boy Muhammad Danish working at a brick kiln and reprimanded the owner.

He said that Muhammad Danish should be studying in Daanish School instead of working at a brick kiln. He expressed the hope that use of force will not be needed and the brick kiln owners will help in the education of children as they are future of the nation. He said that no one will be allowed to mortgage these children in return for advance payment. Shehbaz Sharif announced complete financial support to the children working at brick kilns and said that he will not rest content until every child working at brick kilns is enrolled in school.

He said that education of these children is a national cause and Punjab government has allocated crores of rupees for this purpose. He said that all out funds will be provided for the education of these children. He said besides giving a monthly scholarship of one thousand rupees to every child going to school, the government will also bear his educational expenses.