Govt to establish authority for public-private partnership

Punjab CM directs committee be constituted for formulating recommendations

LAHORE:  

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar presided over a meeting at his office on Tuesday where recommendations for establishing an authority for public-private partnership were discussed.

Buzdar directed that a committee be constituted for formulating comprehensive recommendations for the proposed authority. The committee will present its recommendations after a detailed analysis. The chief minister directed that the consultation process be completed along with all other necessary matters.

“We want to promote a culture of public-private partnership in the province,” he said. The Planning and Development Department chairman briefed the meeting about the features and the scope of the authority.

Minister Hashim Jawan Bakht, the chief secretary and other officials also attended the meeting.

Separately, the chief minister presided over another meeting where the launch of an e-tendering system, for ensure transparency in contracts awarded by the Punjab government, was decided.

Buzdar said that this system will soon be introduced in government departments which will be implemented in phases. “The e-tendering system will ensure transparency, eliminate corruption while making sure national resources are spent on public welfare,” he said.

He stated that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) government is ensuring transparency. The embezzlement of national resources will be eliminated as. from the next financial year, all departments will be obligated to award contracts through the e-tendering system, he said.

During the meeting, it was also decided that rural roads will be constructed and repaired under the Naya Pakistan, Manzalain Asaan programme in order to benefit those living in the area.

Three times more funds are being allocated for the construction of roads in backward districts. Development funds will be provided to villages in every district in proportion to the rural population, he stated.

Roads will be constructed and widened for promoting sectors such as agriculture, energy and tourism. Dual carriageways and link roads will be constructed to connect cities with the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The chief minister directed the authorities concerned to formulate policy reforms and standards for roads. The meeting was informed that the repairs and construction of roads will be conducted through public-private partnership.

Initially, 11 such projects have been identified including Mianwali-Chakwal dual carriageway and other roads for connecting Jhang-Kabirwala, Khanewal and Okara with M4.