Lahore’s new master plan likely soon

Minister assured PA of curbing overpopulation, smog, illegal housing

LAHORE:

Punjab Minister for Local Government & Community Development Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed has announced that the government will unveil Lahore’s new master plan in coming days to address the issues of smog, illegal housing societies and rapid increase in population.

“Lahore has been facing gigantic problems and there is a massive population pressure on the city. But the Lahore master plan that we are going to introduce will resolve all issues,” he maintained while addressing Punjab Assembly on Wednesday.

In light of the master plan, a retired judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan will head a commission that will be constituted to stop the spread of illegal housing societies.

The minister said the government would make efforts for checking the increase in the population and curbing illegal housing schemes besides taking bold steps to overcome smog that had enveloped the metropolis. Opposition lawmakers criticised the government over absence of ministers despite Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari’s ruling directing it to ensure their presence in assembly sessions. Panel of Chairpersons member Mian Shafi did not agree with a claim of ruling PTI lawmakers on Wednesday of 50% attendance of the party’s ministers in the house.

Agriculture Minister Hussain Jahania Gardezi said during a general discussion that the farmers were given 60% subsidy on machinery.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2021.