CM seeks explanation from DCs over civic service lapses

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has sought immediate explanation from the deputy commissioners of Okara and Sahiwal after the CM's Inspection Team uncovered overcharging at a hospital parking and deficiencies in civic services.

The team conducted late-night surprise visits to the Okara District Headquarters and Depalpur and Chichawatni Tehsil Headquarters Hospitals.

At the Chichawatni THQ Hospital, the team received complaints about excessive parking charges and ordered cancellation of the contract and registration of a case against those responsible.

The team also noticed stagnant rainwater and non-functional streetlights in Okara district.

On the basis of a report, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed displeasure and sought explanations from the DCs of Okara and Sahiwal.

She ordered the relevant authorities to immediately start reconstruction of the dilapidated Depalpur Road.

Meanwhile, following the arrest by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) of nine government employees and three frontmen in various districts, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the time had come to eliminate corruption from government institutions across Punjab.

According to an official statement issued on Sunday, ACE teams conducted raids and trap operations in several districts against officials allegedly involved in receiving bribes.

In Bahawalnagar, an assistant commissioner's office clerk was allegedly caught receiving bribe and a case was registered against him. A former union council office naib qasid was also arrested during a trap raid. In Vehari, an excise department official was arrested while allegedly accepting a bribe.