CM reviews progress of annual development programme

Orders officials to ensure transparency in all govt dealings

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar reviewed progress on the annual development program for the current fiscal year.

Presiding over a high-level meeting on Tuesday, the CM reviewed various financial matters and ordered provincial departments to strictly implement austerity measures. He also directed officials to ensure transparency and discipline in financial matters.

“We are custodians of national resources and no one will be allowed to make a mockery of hard-earned public money. Public needs and their welfare should be ensured in development schemes and the menace of increasing expenditures, by delaying the completion of such schemes, should be discouraged.”

He said timely the release and utilisation of development resources was important as it would help keep the development cost low and fully benefit the people. He also underlined the need to regularly monitor the release and utilisation of development funds. Buzdar reiterated that government would continue to provide resources for public welfare schemes, including health and education on priority.

Provincial ministers Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht, Malik Muhammad Anwar and Hafiz Faiz Ahmad were part of the meeting. Also in attendance were the provincial chief secretary, Planning and Development (P&D) department chairman, senior member of the Board of Revenue, administrative secretaries and other senior officials.

In a separate meeting, the chief minister also reviewed the performance of the Punjab Social Protection Authority (PSSA). He reaffirmed Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s commitment to the welfare of the financially-disadvantaged strata of the society. He highlighted that the launch of Sehat Insaf Cards was an important step towards fulfilling this commitment.

He said the role of the Punjab Social Protection Authority was important towards the welfare of low-income families. The CM ordered that new programs, aimed at direct welfare and rehabilitation of the indigent strata, should be chalked out. He ordered that board of directors of PSSA should be formed soon.

He also chaired a meeting of Punjab Daanish Schools and Centers of Excellence Authority to gauge the performance of Daanish Schools Authority. Buzdar said the government is committed to provide the opportunity of getting higher education to each and every child in the province.

He highlighted that improvements will be made in Punjab Daanish Schools and Centers of Excellence Authority and necessary administrative changes will also be made to curtail the excess expenditures. “Every penny will be recovered from those found involved in embezzlement of construction of Daanish Schools,” the chief minister warned.

Meanwhile, Turkish Ambassador Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul called on the chief minister at his office. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, including promotion of bilateral cooperation in different sectors, came under discussion. Both agreed to further expand bilateral cooperation in housing, tourism, education, healthcare and vocational training sectors. The Turkish Ambassador assured of providing every-possible cooperation to the Punjab government.

Speaking on the occasion, the CM said Pakistan and Turkey were conjoined twins and their relations were interlinked in historically important relations. “Both countries should further extend their mutual cooperation in trade and economic sectors and the time has come increase volume.” He said people-to-people contact and an exchange of trade delegations were necessary while vast investment opportunities were available in Punjab.

The CM urged Turkish investors to take full benefit of these opportunities, assuring that they will be fully facilitated. “The investors will be provided an enabling environment for business in the new Pakistan,” he added.

Buzdar said Turkey had always sided with Pakistan on the political and diplomatic fronts and the country has unprecedented progress under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdogan. “We hope to benefit from the speedy development and progress of Turkey,” he added.

The Turkish ambassador said historic relations existed between Pakistan and Turkey. “Turkish companies have invested in different sectors and more companies are also willing to invest in Pakistan, especially Punjab.” He said ties between the two countries were exemplary and added steps would be taken to further promote cooperation with Punjab.