PM Imran orders inquiry into increase in gas prices

Also signals formation of a judicial commission to investigate Sahiwal tragedy

LAHORE: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday took notice of the increase in prices of gas for domestic consumers and ordered Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Ghulam Sarwar Khan to conduct an inquiry into the matter.

"Putting additional burden on consumers in the form of increased gas bills is unacceptable as it is directly hitting the common man," said PM Imran while chairing a high-level meeting at the Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Secretariat.

The meeting was attended by Punjab CM Usman Buzdar, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis Zulfiqar Bukhari and others.

Upon arrival in Lahore, PM Imran was received by CM Buzdar.

During a one-on-one meeting with Buzdar, Imran signalled formation of a judicial commission to probe into the Sahiwal incident, in which three members of a family and their friend were killed by the Counter Terrorism Department.

PM Imran told CM Buzdar, "If the family of the victims is not satisfied with the investigation, a judicial commission may also be formed."

The PM has also directed the chief minister to ensure immediate and effective treatment of the family member suffering from cancer.



During the high-level meeting, Imran approved the Punjab Spatial Strategy, assuring all-out support of the Centre to the provincial government for capacity enhancement.

Imran underscored the need for administrative and financial capacity enhancement of the Punjab government, saying, "There is a dire need to revamp the administrative blueprint in Punjab to ensure public well-being."

Former finance minister and economist Dr Salman Shah briefed the participants on the current economic situation. Various proposals related to use of latest technology, investment, agriculture, energy, infrastructure and human resource development to give the economy a boost came under discussion.

The participants underlined the need for simultaneous growth in agriculture and industrial output besides identifying ways to diversify range of products being manufactured in Punjab.

The development plan for 50 cities across 36 districts of Punjab also came under discussion. It was decided that at least 15 cities of the province be declared "economic hubs" for sustainable development.

Further, it was decided to deploy senior secretaries for nine sectors of the province for better governance.



During a separate meeting with Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar, the prime minister also approved establishment of a water authority.

The PM also chaired a meeting of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Punjab's Media Strategy Committee, which was attended by Buzdar, Punjab Information Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan, senior provincial minister Abdul Aleem Khan and others.

During the meeting, Chohan briefed the prime minister on the media strategy adopted in Punjab so far. Imran directed the committee members to highlight development projects initiated by the Punjab government and also defend the party and the government in a more effective manner through the media.

Imran advised chief ministers of all provinces to make use of state as well as private media to spread the government's narrative among the masses. The meeting also reviewed the strategy to effectively highlight the government policies and decided to reveal the corruption of former rulers.

It was also decided to raise the issue pertaining to use of airplane by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif at the behest of former Punjab CM Shehbaz Sharif on media.

Briefing the prime minister, the information minister said health programme would commence from Monday (today) under which the government would pay patients' medical bills within the range of Rs700,000-Rs900,000.

Meanwhile, Punjab Housing Minister Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed briefed the prime minister on progress made in the Naya Pakistan Housing Programme.

During the prime minister's visit, tight security arrangements were made in the city, which caused great inconvenience to commuters as city police had closed several roads along the VIP route. Meanwhile, a large number of protestors staged a demonstration in front of the Chief Minister Office against land grabbers and encroachers.

A widow, Hasina Bibi, told the media that some land grabbers had occupied her land.

She appealed to the premier to get her land vacated and provide justice to her family.