Panel formed to activate regional secretariat

CM stresses utilisation of 35% development funds for South Punjab

LAHORE:

Participants of a meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi decided on Tuesday to constitute a committee headed by Law Minister Basharat Raja to remove hurdles in making the South Punjab Secretariat fully active. The chief minister called for ensuring the utilisation of the 35 per cent development funds allocated to South Punjab. He made it clear that the government would achieve the targets related to the region while ensuring that the funds are not spent anywhere else.

He accused the PML-N of deceiving the people on the issue of South Punjab.

The CM also announced phased construction and restoration of the Multan-Vehari road, adding that s state-of-the-art circuit house and gymkhana would be built in Multan.

Provincial Ministers Basharat Raja, Mohsin Leghari, Akhtar Malik, Shahabud Din, former federal minister Moonis Elahi, Chief Secretary Abdullah Khan Sumbal, Additional CS Asadullah Khan, the finance and regulations secretaries and other officials attended the meeting.

The South Punjab ACS gave a briefing to the participants.

Lawyers’ delegation

Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi announced while speaking to a delegation of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) that free medical treatment facilities would be provided to lawyers and their families at par with gazetted officers.

Congratulating SCBA President Abid Zuberi on his election, he said concrete steps would be taken for the welfare of the legal fraternity. He said the government had always prioritised welfare of the lawyers. If Pakistan is to progress, the enforcement of law and justice must be ensured, he added.

Meanwhile, the chief minister nominated Rai Shajar Abbas as the Chairman of the Nankana Sahib District Committee of the Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16^th, 2022.