TAXILA: Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain has said that the welfare of workers, protection of their rights and provision of quality education to their children are among the government’s top priorities.
“Respect for the worker is respect for Pakistan. When labourers prosper, Pakistan prospers,” the Federal Minister said while addressing the Foundation Stone laying ceremony of Labour Complex Phase-II in Taxila.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Ahmed Malik, Member of the Provincial Assembly Mohsin Ayub Khan, former MPA Haji Malik Umar Farooq, Secretary Workers Welfare Fund Zulfiqar Ahmed, Central Information Secretary of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Ghulam Mustafa Malik, President Federal Capital Rizwan Sadiq, President Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Intikhab Khan Chamkani, board members, senior officials and representatives of political and social circles.
Chaudhry Salik Hussain said that the total approved cost of Labour Complex Phase-II was Rs1.106 billion, and the project would be completed within, and preferably before, the stipulated period of 24 months.
The project includes the construction of high schools for boys and girls, a junior primary school, a mosque and a mini market, he said.
The Federal Minister further said that 504 flats had already been constructed at the Labour Complex Taxila at a cost of Rs1.314 billion. Out of these, 70 flats had been earmarked for the families of martyrs of Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), Wah Cantt.
He said the government was giving high priority to handing over the completed flats to deserving labour families at the earliest. Coordination with the relevant ministries and authorities was underway to complete the necessary formalities and hand over the keys to the eligible families.
Chaudhry Salik Hussain expressed hope that effective progress would be made in this regard during the coming weeks so that the process of handing over the flats could be taken forward without further delay.
Speaking about public service, the Federal Minister said he considered politics a form of worship and believed that serving the people was the fundamental purpose of holding public office.
He said politicians should not wait for another opportunity, ministry or position to take measures for public welfare. Instead, they should consider every day valuable and fulfil their responsibilities with sincerity and dedication.
“Power is not permanent. Therefore, whenever an opportunity to serve the people is available, it should not be wasted,” he said, adding that resolving even one deserving person’s problem and earning the prayers of a needy individual was a significant achievement.
The Federal Minister directed the concerned authorities to ensure high construction standards, transparency and timely completion of the Labour Complex Phase-II project.
“When the labourer is prosperous, Pakistan will be prosperous,” Chaudhry Salik Hussain reiterated.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026