‘Steps against water shortage yielding results’

Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz said on Monday that out of the box solutions are needed to deal with issues like water shortage, pointing out that the drought-like situation in Cholistan and other areas may endanger humans and wildlife.

Speaking to UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator Julian Harneis who called on him, the chief minister maintained that a balanced plan of action would have to be formulated to ensure durable human development, which was the need of the hour.

Punjab government's steps to overcome water shortage in Cholistan have started yielding positive results, while climate challenges have become a global threat, he added.

The CM said that Daanish schools are the best source of providing quality education to children of backward areas.

Use of quality seeds was being encouraged for better productivity in South Punjab and the targets of clean energy would be achieved through collaboration, he added.

Similarly, urban forestry, water reserves and zero plastic waste targets have been set and the provincial water act is being introduced to improve the recharge of groundwater in cities, he disclosed.

Joint steps would also be taken to protect and improve cultural heritage, the CM said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz also ordered steps to improve the supply of subsidised flour across Punjab.

While presiding over a meeting, he called for strict monitoring of wheat grinding and flour supply. Every penny of the Rs200 billion worth of subsidy should reach the common people, he stressed.

Exit routes of Punjab should be closely monitored to curb the smuggling of wheat and flour, he said.

Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz said the government would soon give more relief to the people by reducing the prices of ghee and sugar.

The meeting reviewed the mechanism of supply and monitoring of subsidised flour and proposals to reduce the prices of essential commodities.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 30^th, 2022.