Efforts underway to improve govt departments: CM

Buzdar says in the first phase, an independent secretariat will begin functioning from July 1, 2019

LAHORE:  

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said efforts are being made to improve the performance of government departments to make ‘Naya Pakistan’ a reality.

He expressed these views while speaking at a special ceremony regarding the 100-day performance of the government at Aiwan-e-Iqbal on Saturday.
Executive committees have been formed at a federal and provincial level to fulfil the promise of creating South Punjab province on administrative grounds. In the first phase, an independent secretariat will begin functioning from July 1, 2019, he added.

For the first time in the province, indiscriminate action against encroachments was launched,” he maintained.

More than 1 million acres of land amounting to Rs171 billion has been retrieved during the first 100 days, he revealed.

The chief minister stated that Prime Minister Imran Khan understands the problems of the people and presented the idea of ‘panagahs’ for the homeless.

“We have set up shelter homes on his directions, where food, security and basic health facilities are being provided to the people,” he said.

Currently, shelter homes are under construction at five places in Lahore and Rawalpindi. We will set up similar shelter homes in all 36 districts in phases, he claimed.

Buzdar added that a revolutionary local government system is being formed for the province; 30% of the development fund will be transferred to local government institutions directly.

In addition to this, a new industrial policy has been approved under which eight new economic zones will be set up. A new labour policy is being introduced for the welfare of and to protect the rights of labourers.

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) government also has the honour of introducing the first tourism policy in Punjab while a new agriculture policy has been finalised. Moreover, a new livestock policy is being introduced in line with the prime minister’s vision, he added.

The chief minister highlighted that the first water policy and master plan are also being formed while small dams are being constructed to protect water reserves.

“Provision of health facilities is the priority of the 100-days plan,” he claimed. The scope of the Insaaf Health cards will be widened to the whole province from 17 districts, he added. Further, recruitment for 9,000 posts of doctors, women medical officers and nurses has been completed, he said.

Five mother and child healthcare centres will be set up while the project of Nishtar 2 in Multan will also be launched soon, he added.

Speaking about education, the chief minister said that a new education policy has been introduced while reforms for higher education has also been finalised.

“We want to give a sense of protection and economic empowerment to women,” he stressed.

Furthermore, under the Clean and Green Punjab campaign, more than 120 million saplings have been planted in 100 days while 19 million plants have been planted by the Forest Department. Under the five year plan, more than 46 million plants will be planted, he revealed.

The PTI government believes in religious tolerance, the government has taken concrete measures for peace, he maintained. He stated that new police institutions are being set up in three cities to give modern training to officials. A system of accountability has been implemented. More than 5,000 police officials have faced disciplinary action, he said.

He highlighted that indiscriminate action has been taken against power thieves. Our determination and resolve are high, while our problems are greater and resources are smaller. However, these obstacles cannot obstruct our path, he concluded.