Attari: Making yet another pre-poll promise, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday announced that upon forming the govt in Punjab, the party would ensure the reopening of the Attari and Fazilka borders for trade with all Central Asian countries, besides creating a special industrial zone in the border belt.Addressing a rally, as part of the SAD’s ongoing ‘Punjab Bachao’ movement, here on Saturday, the SAD chief said: “Business in the border belt suffered immensely due to the closure of the border.”“Once elected, we will ensure both the Attari and Fazilka borders are opened for export of fruit and vegetables, besides other commodities, to Central Asian countries. This export will go a long way in making Amritsar a hub for international trade and benefit the entire region,” he announced.Sukhbir was accompanied by senior leader Gulzar Singh Ranike.The senior leader said establishing industry in the border belt was a pressing need, especially after the migration of industry to hill states due to concessions offered there. “The SAD is committed to establishing a special industrial zone in the border belt and will extend a financial package for the same to incentivise the industry to invest in this zone. This will rejuvenate the entire economy of the area,” he said.Sukhbir alleged: “The central agencies are not happy after defaming the SAD and taking control of its religious institutions like Sri Hazoor Sahib and Takht Patna Sahib, but are also striving to dislodge the Badal family to install an amenable puppet whom they can control.”Similarly, in the state, the AAP govt is conspiring to register a case against me, he added.Taking note of the registration of a case against Akali leaders such as Bikram Singh Majithia and Tarn Taran leader Kanchanpreet Kaur, and the party cadre, Sukhbir said: “Once we form the govt in 2027, we will establish a commission to probe all these cases. Those behind registration of the false cases, as well as officers responsible for this illegal conduct, will be proceeded against.”He also announced that the SAD was committed to pursuing the alleged corrupt practices of the Aam Aadmi Party govt as well as the purchase of 2,500 acres of land by Bhagwant Mann in Australia .MSID:: 128644855 413 |
