Journalists’ walkout: Punjab CM skips agreement-signing ceremony

The firm will dispose of solid waste from Pindi, Murree cities.

RAWALPINDI:

Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Mian Shahbaz Sharif did not show up at an agreement-signing ceremony on Tuesday after learning of a planned walk-out by journalists to protest police ‘misbehaviour.’

Nevertheless, the ceremony went ahead. Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) and Albayrak penned a seven-year agreement under which the latter shall manage solid waste from Rawalpindi and neighbouring Murree.

Sources said that the CM’s decision to skip the event came when he was informed about the planned walkout.

Last week, Sadiqabad Police Station SHO Sattar Khan asked the journalists to leave the police station and never show up again.

The SHO also displayed banners on walls and the main gate of the police station with the inscription, “journalists’ not allowed/ contact CPO for any comments.”

Earlier, a senior police officer urged the journalists to cover the event, assuring that action will be taken against the SHO later.

Even requests by the Rawalpindi District Coordination Officer Sajid Zafar Dall, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders Sardar Naseem and Shakeel Awan could not bring back the journalists to the function.

Under the $81.39 million project, according to a press release issued by the Information Department, the company, besides improving cleanliness in 63 union councils, will dispose of solid waste of parks, streets and squares of Rawalpindi and Murree cities through mechanical and vacuum vehicles.

The agreement was signed by Albayrak Principal Officer Binyamin Karaka and RWMC Managing Director Irfan Ahmed Qureshi.

Albayrak will hand over its machinery to RWMC after expiry of the agreement term, the press release said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2014.