Govt plans to raise funds for mega projects

Huge amounts will be collected through sale, lease of land

LAHORE:

On the direction of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Punjab government has decided to raise funds for megaprojects through the sale and lease of land and in this regard issued instructions to the relevant departments to identify their lands and prepare a strategy for its use.

An important meeting held at the Civil Secretariat on Wednesday deliberated on ways to generate funds for the megaprojects through the sale and lease of the government's land.

Punjab Finance Minister Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht participated in the meeting through a video link that was attended by Punjab chief secretary, administrative secretaries of different departments including finance, irrigation, agriculture, livestock, Auqaf, and cooperatives, secretary colonies and chairperson of Punjab Cooperative Board for Liquidation.

Speaking at the meeting, Bakht said timely completion of development projects is the priority of the Punjab government, and work on uplift schemes in the province is underway at a fast pace.

The chief secretary Punjab said as per law use of government land in the public interest would be ensured. He directed that a comprehensive plan be formulated for the lease and sale of state land.

He said the provincial government is following the agenda of a ‘uniform development’ throughout the province, and availability of funds would help ensure timely completion of mega projects.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2020.