Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has restored frozen funds of the local bodies and announced a special development package of Rs13 billion for Faisalabad.
While announcing the development package, on Tuesday, Buzdar highlighted that it will usher in a new era of progress and development in the province. The deputy commissioner will utilise these funds in consultation with the public representatives. Representatives of local bodies institutions will be free to pursue development works as per local needs. These funds will help local bodies to solve sewerage and potable water-related issues on priority.
The CM further pointed out that sum of Rs500 million each has been release for completion of the Kashmir Underpass and Haseeb Shaheed Hospital.
He indicated that 187-kanal land has been identified for the journalist colony in Bismillahpur. Notification for launching journalist colony on this land will be issued soon. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government will fulfill its promise of establishing a journalist colony in Faisalabad, he maintained.
He announced that the government is going to recruit 10,000 new constables in department police and 600 new vehicles will soon be provided to the police department. The government has stopped political inference in police department and appointments will be made on merit, he said and instructed police officers to work hard for reining in crimes.
He also highlighted that the appointment of the Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA), Faisalabad Solid Waste Management Company and Faisalabad Parks and Horticulture Authority’s chairmen will be made soon. The government has already upgraded over 1,200 schools and aims to upgrade more schools as well.
Members of the national and provincial assemblies told the chief minister about problems of their respective constituencies. Buzdar also met with business community leaders and listened to their problems. The chief minister noted down recommendations of the assembly members and business leaders and issued orders for redressing their problems.
Meanwhile, he inaugurated Lyallpur Art and Craft Gallery at Chenab Club Chowk and visited various sections of the gallery. He showed keen interest in the art pieces and inspected the locally manufactured carpets, traditional dresses and handicrafts made by jail inmates. He said the gallery will greatly help to promote local crafts and culture at the national and international level. Such projects can also play an important role in the promotion of tourism, he added.
He underscored that Punjab was going to emerge as a tourism hub in the country. Local handicrafts and fine art products will help in promoting the soft image of the country throughout the world. Faisalabad commissioner gave a briefing to the chief minister about the gallery.
Earlier, the chief minister laid the foundation stone of Samundri IT Sub-Campus of Government College University Faisalabad which will be completed at a cost of Rs1 billion. Buzdar said that he desired that every district of Punjab has a university. The government wants to increase opportunities for higher education for the youth, he added.
Later, the chief minister chaired a special meeting at Faisalabad Circuit House where he was briefed about the arrangements made for Muharram. Faisalabad RPO apprised the chief minister about the security arrangements.
The chief minister while ordering crackdown against those who post hateful speeches and videos on social media said that fool-proof security arrangements should be made on the occasion of Muharram.
He said strict implementation on the code of conduct should be ensured during Muharram. Afterwards, the chief minister paid a surprise visit to the general stores situated near Civil Lines and inspected the rates of essential items. He inquired about the price of 20-kg flour bag and checked the prices of sugar as well. He also inspected the prices of commodities including pulses.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 26th, 2020.
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