Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has ordered speedy implementation of the Ravi Riverfront project so that the issues of overpopulation, traffic congestion, pollution and water scarcity can be adequately addressed.
Provincial government spokesperson Hasaan Khawar said on Sunday that the development work on the first zone of riverfront, Chahar Bagh, had been started.
He said the futuristic project would help in containing a chaotic urban sprawl, raising the falling water level and rehabilitating the Ravi river.
The spokesperson said the project on a 46km stretch on both sides of the river was a fulfillment of Prime Minister Imran Khan's vision.
He said the chief minister had ordered speedy implementation of the project whose first phase would cover 15,000 acres, including the Sapphire, Agri and Knowledge Zones, Emerald Bay, Topaz Block, barrages and a lake.
Ravi city would bring much needed foreign exchange to the province through private investment and from Pakistanis living abroad, he added.
“The project will also recharge the Ravi River and create millions of jobs through housing, construction and other related industries,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Buzdar said in a statement that the government had evolved a foolproof mechanism of policymaking to ensure the progress and development of the province in a true sense.
“Fruitful results of composite development are being yielded as the District Development Package will ensure a real change in every city, town and village of the province,” he asserted.
The chief minister said the previous rulers had befooled the people with false promises of development, whereas the incumbent government believed in taking practical measures and making serious and matchless efforts to redress the grievances of the people.
He maintained that the government had given a vision of uniform development to the people of the province as every citizen had the right to benefit from progress and development.
He said the government was ensuring the development of the most backward areas of the province as well.
In another statement, CM Buzdar said ‘corrupt’ opposition leaders enjoyed no standing as compared to the credibility of Prime Minister Imran Khan as he had pull the country out of a crisis and put it on the road to progress. He said all the indicators were positive and encouraging except for the negative politics of the opposition.
The chief minister said the government was more stable than before, whereas the opposition was in the midst of a crisis.
He said the opposition leaders would not get a clemency deal like the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), come what may. The future of those politicians who were engaged in dynastic politics was dark, he added.
He also said that the opposition was incapable of doing politics of agitation. “People have elected the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for five years and the government will complete its tenure,” asserted Chief Minister Buzdar.
Chief Minister Buzdar also took notice of an incident of gas leakage in Multan Industrial Estate and sought a report in this regard from the divisional commissioner and industries secretary.
The chief minister ordered a probe and expressed deep sorrow and grief over the death of a foreign national in the incident.
He also instructed the local administration to ensure the best possible medical treatment of the people affected by the gas leakage.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 17, 2022.
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