Slum dwellers to get their rights

CM Pervaiz Elahi seeks recommendations from board of revenue

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said the government has decided to allot ownership rights to the residents of all katchi abadis (slums) in the province.

The chief minister expressed these views while chairing a meeting at the CM Office on Friday. He also sought final recommendations from the board of revenue with regard to granting ownership rights to katchi abadis.

He also directed the authorities concerned to undertake steps forthwith in order to allot ownership rights under a legal framework, adding that all matters should be expeditiously resolved.

He also highlighted that the residents having land up to 10 marlas in the katchi abadis will be granted ownership rights and a summary will be submitted in the cabinet meeting. The CM also sought a detailed report about the katchi abadis across Punjab.

The CM resolved to return due right to the real deserving people residing in katchi abadis. He further directed the authorities to formulate a plan regarding provision of basic facilities to katchi abadis.

The SMBR and Punjab katchi abadis DG presented a briefing to the chief minister. Chief Secretary, SMBR, Secretary Local Government, Secretary P&D, DG katchi abadis Punjab and officials concerned attended the meeting.

Earlier, the chief minister met with a delegation of Chinese company. Mindray, the biggest Chinese medical equipment manufacturing company, offered manufacturing medical equipment in Punjab. The company will also impart training to the doctors and nurses in the province.

CM Pervaiz Elahi, while talking with the delegation, welcomed the offer of assistance of the Chinese company in manufacturing medical equipment.

He stated that the latest medical equipment would be provided in the ICUs of new hospitals, emergencies and operation theatres adding that the company providing excellent medical devices at minimum rate will be selected.

The CM said latest medical equipment would be provided for cyberknife and robotic surgery.

Wifaqul Madaris Al-Arabia Pakistan Secretary General Maulana Muhammad Hanif Jalandhri called on the chief minister at his office and discussed matters of mutual interest.

The CM termed the abolition of usury at private level a historic initiative of the Punjab government and noted that eradication of social evils is possible only by implementing religious teachings.

The CM said the government would develop Seerat Academy as a centre of knowledge and research and foreign religious institutions would also be approached to start research.

He underlined that the implementation of Islamic teachings was vital to control corruption and maintained that the inclusion of the clause related to the Finality of Prophet hood (PBUH) in the marriage certificate was an important religious service.

Meanwhile, the CM congratulated the president, ambassador and people of the UAE on their national day. In his message of felicitation, the CM said the people of Pakistan and the UAE share historical ties of love and brotherhood. During the recent floods, the UAE government generously helped the affected population.

Ch Pervaiz Elahi expressed a deep sense of sorrow and grief over the death of senior actor and producer Afzal Ahmad.

In the condolence message, the CM extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family and paid rich tribute to the services of Afzal Ahmad in the field of acting.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 3^rd, 2022.