Mining concerns: PUNJMIN slated for reorganisation

Chief minister forms committee to oversee the process

LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday granted approval for reorganisation of the Punjab Minerals Development Corporation.

He gave the approval while presiding over a meeting via video-link from London.

Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said the corporation would be reorganised along modern lines. He said restructuring would be done under a phased programme.

“Building capacity of the Punjab Mineral Development Corporation is the need of the hour. The leasing system for mines must be made transparent,” he said.

The chief minister said efforts must be made to make the Punjab Mineral Development Corporation a vibrant institution.

He said the government would also make arrangements for assuring safety of mineworkers.

The chief minister constituted a committee for reorganisation of the PUNJMIN and named Law Minister Rana Sanaullah the chair of the committee.

The committee will comprise Minister Sher Ali Khan, PUNJMIN Chairman Nauman Kabeer, secretaries for Finance and Minerals Departments.

The chief minister said the committee would be empowered to take steps for the PUNJMIN’s reorganisation.

The chief minister said an effective mechanism for accountability should be evolved.

He said the committee should present its recommendations within a month, in light of which steps would be taken to revitalise the Minerals Department.

The chief minister said priority should be given to naming experts from the private sector on the board of PUNJMIN.

He congratulated PUNJMIN Chairman Nauman Kabeer and expressed the hope that he would utilize his efforts for improving the performance of the company.

The PUNJMIN chairman said the organisation would be turned into a vibrant institution according to the vision of the chief minister.

Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Sher Ali, Planning and Development Board chairman, secretaries and senior officials participated in the meeting.

‘The prime minister is recovering’

Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he was thankful to those who had prayed for the success of the operation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. In a statement, the chief minister said the prime minister was recovering.

“The prime minister is well and recovering fast.

I have talked to him. He will be back to serve the people as soon as possible.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2016.