Foreign minister seeks funds for Multan infrastructure upgrade

Qureshi laments neglect shown by past rulers

MULTAN: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said the incumbent government strongly believed in transparency and merit and would root out corruption from the country.

He expressed these views while chairing a meeting to review the performance of various departments on Sunday. Addressing a meeting, the foreign minister observed that in past, the development work was not carried out as per wishes of the local people.

In the past, funds for the region were spent in Lahore which increased a sense of deprivation among the local people.

He said that he would demand more funds from the Punjab government for improvement in the infrastructure of the city. Qureshi ordered an inquiry into the corruption of Rs3.5 billion in Waste Management Company by the Public Accounts Committee.

He alleged previous political leadership was involved in corruption. He directed officers of Waste Management Company to meet the shortage of sanitary workers and machinery concerned and ensure cleanliness in every nook and corner of the city.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi directed the officials to upgrade the sewerage system at the earliest. He deplored and said sewerage system did not exist at 35% area of the city. During the last five years, only 1.4 kilometre sewerage line was laid in the city, which speaks the ineligibility of the past rulers, Qureshi added.

He also directed the authorities concerned to launch a crackdown against WASA defaulters for the recovery of pending dues worth Rs1.25 billion.

He urged the local parliamentarians to raise voice in assembly for the redressal of local problems. He also assured the district administration that the political leadership was standing by them for progress and prosperity of the city.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Aamir Khattak briefed the meeting about different schemes and matters of Waste Management Company, WASA and some other departments. On this occasion, Chief Whip National Assembly Malik Aamir Dogar, parliamentary secretary on finance and MNA Zain Qureshi and other local parliamentarians were also present.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2019.