Badal urges political parties to avoid politics over Iraq issue

Lambi (Sri Muktsar Sahib), June 22

          Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today exhorted all the political parties to avoid politics over the sensitive issue of Punjabis trapped in Iraqi civil war as the Government of India (GoI) was already making concerted efforts to ensure their prompt and safe return.

          Interacting with the media persons here on the sidelines of his Sangat Darshan program of Lambi assembly segment, the Chief Minister said that rather than indulging in politics over this sensitive issue, all the political parties should join their hands and extend wholehearted support to the Union government in its efforts to rescue the Punjabis trapped in Iraq. He said that the Centre was using all the diplomatic channels to ensure the safe and immediate return of Punjabis back to their motherland. Mr. Badal said that the state government was constantly in touch with the Union government over this issue adding that no stone would be left unturned to ensure the safe return of Punjabis from strife torn Iraq.

The Chief Minister further said that the Union External Affairs Minister Mrs. Sushma Swaraj has been regularly updating him about the latest development in Iraq and the steps taken by the GoI to safely evacuate the people trapped in Iraq. Likewise, he said that the Union government has assured him that it would make sure that every Indian returns back to his home safely irrespective of the fact that whether he possesses the relevant immigration documents or not.

Earlier addressing the public gatherings during the Sangat Darshan in Dhanni Teliaan wali, Kandu Khera, Bhullar wala, Haakuwala, Fatta Khera and Warring Khera villages, the Chief Minister called upon the Youth Clubs and Panchayats of the villages to extend fulsome support and cooperation to the state government in making Punjab a drug free state. Mr. Badal said that the state government would be able to accomplish its goal only with the active involvement of the general public in this crusade. He also apprised the people about the various initiatives taken by the state government to eradicate the menace of drugs from the state.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister profusely thanked the people for supporting Union Minister Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal in the recently concluded General elections.

The Chief Minister also visited the Civil Hospital Sri Muktsar Sahib and reviewed the arrangements for setting up drug de-addiction center in it.

Later, on the Chief Minister also attended the bhog of Mrs. Jagdish Kaur, the mother of former Lok Sabha MP and senior Congress leader Mr. Jagmeet Singh Brar, who had passed away a few days back and paid rich tributes to her.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema, Director Social Welfare Mr. Paramjeet Singh and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Jaskiran Singh.