Govt to outsource Lahore Parking Company

Senior minister says 136 points will be outsourced in the first phase

LAHORE:  

Punjab Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has approved the outsourcing of the Lahore Parking Company (LPC).

The decision was made in a meeting held on Monday. The minister said that in the first phase, 136 points, including areas of Gulberg, Mall Road, and Allama Iqbal Town, will be outsourced.

The minister said that unfortunately, all the companies have become dens of corruption. “It is high time that practical steps are taken to redress the issues and honest staff members will be encouraged to come forward.”

He said pilferage if is stopped, heavy funds could be generated and can be utilised in the construction of parking plazas in the city to meet future requirements. He directed officials to start the bidding process immediately in which companies of international repute should be given the chance to work. He said that e-ticketing should be ensured with the issuance of daily, weekly and monthly parking cards.

Aleem asked for the regularisation of all the private companies under the umbrella of LPC and uniform policy in the city. He also directed LPC officials to devise a strategy to minimise expenses and increase income. He said that there should be no exemption for parking fees, except for recreational parks for the general public.

The senior minister also expressed reservations over the capabilities of the officers of LPC and directed them to improve the human resource. He said that future expansion planning should be made by keeping in mind that a lot of work could be done through the public-private partnership model.

The minister said malpractices and irregularities of the past brought these companies on the verge of destruction. He said the time had come for them to either perform or face closure.