CM gives nod to development projects worth Rs25b

Says inactive water supply and sewerage schemes will be restored

LAHORE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has given a nod to a new project to the tune of Rs25 billion aimed at providing improving cleanliness, provision of potable water and sewerage systems of cities and rural areas.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting held at Chief Minister’s Office under the chair of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar.

Inactive water supply and sewerage schemes would be restored whereas necessary machinery would be required for the cleanliness condition. Buzdar directed the authorities concerned to resolve the affairs in connection with the implementation of this programme immediately. He said he wanted to see development and progress in every city and village of the province. More funds have been allocated in the budget of the current fiscal year for the development of backward areas of Punjab.

The CM said people’s right would be given to them by improving the provision of basic amenities.

Chief Secretary, Chairman P&D, Secretary C&W. Principal Secretary to CM, Secretary Law, Secretary Local Bodies, Special Secretary Finance, Secretary Information, head of Special Monitoring Unit and concerned officials were present on this occasion.

Congratulating the nation on 72nd independence anniversary of Pakistan, Buzdar said independence was a blessing for which our forefathers had rendered unprecedented sacrifices. “The people of Indian-occupied Kashmir are still struggling for their independence as India is making the lives of Kashmiris miserable with unabated cruelties and genocide,” he remarked. “Today the whole Pakistani nation will celebrate Independence Day as the Kashmir Solidarity Day. People of Pakistan stand with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their struggle for the right to self-determination and liberation from Indian occupation.”

He said India, by revoking the special status of occupied Kashmir has proved its traditional mean mentality. “Every man of conscience has rejected the controversial Indian step,” he said. “This Independence Day is of great importance because the freedom movement of occupied Jammu and Kashmir has entered its final phase. India does not know that it is fighting against a nation that takes bullets on its chest and raises the slogan of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’.”

He said Kashmiri people were sacrificing their lives for their freedom and only those, who were deprived of freedom, can imagine the fruits of this blessing. “We salute those who sacrificed their lives in the Pakistan movement. Getting a free motherland is the result of the hard struggle of Quaid-i-Azam and his companions and the realisation of the dream of Allama Iqbal.”

The chief minister said the nation was passing through another revolutionary phase of its history for which complete unity is the only requirement. There is a dire need to be united by forgetting our mutual differences and disputes, he said. “Today we have to remember the sacrifices of those martyrs who laid down their lives for maintaining peace and security in the country and we pay homage to those martyrs.”

He said August 14 was the day of self-accountability. There is a need to motivate people of Pakistan with the same spirit which was the driving force of their ancestors in the Pakistan Movement. Our motherland is calling us and we can only repay it by adopting the principles of unity and solidarity. The CM invited the countrymen to make a promise that we will continue our struggle for making Pakistan great, strong and prosperous by adopting the golden principles of father of the nation Faith, Unity and Discipline. The Chief Minister also vowed that the nation will safeguard the sovereignty of Pakistan at any cost.

The chief minister has sought a report on the water flow in rainwater drains in Koh-e-Suleman and flood situation in Rajanpur. He directed the district administration and PDMA to remain alert and flow of water in rainfall drains should be continuously monitored.

He said that relief activities should be started in the affected areas and every possible step should be taken for the protection of lives and property of the people. He said that relief camps should be set up in affected areas and necessary amenities and equipment should be provided and officers of concerned departments should monitor the relief activities. He said that the detailed report of relief activities should be submitted to his office.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14^th, 2019.