On the special direction of CM Mohsin Naqvi, implementation on the plan to make the Lahore city dust free has been launched. 79 roads will be made dust free for the reduction of environmental pollution in Lahore.
CM Mohsin Naqvi formally launched washing programme of the roads and boulevards of the city. CM monitored washing process at the Jail Road. Mohsin Naqvi monitored the road washing process through the mechanical washers, sweepers and tractor sweepers. CM directed not to wash the roads at noon time and in the evening to ensure smooth traffic flow. He directed to expedite enforcement actions against those involved in doing illegal dumping of debris at the edge of the roads. CEO LWMC Babar Sahibdin gave a briefing about 79 roads washing programme. CM was informed during the briefing that 18 mechanical washers, 12 mechanical sweepers and 40 tractor sweepers are taking part in the washing process.
The teams are working actively in three shifts to dispose of construction and demolition material along with garbage. All the points will be turned into zero waste in coming 48 hours. Later, CM while talking with the media stated that we are worried due to smog situation as Lahore is the most polluted city of the world. We cannot close down the schools due to examinations. The winter vacations will commence from18th December. There is no possibility of any rain but we are striving at our own level. Smog level increases due to dust and traffic. LWMC will wash 79 roads to reduce dust in the city. Those roads will be washed on preferential basis where their is more dust.
The roads will be washed twice a week on the pattern of Saudi Arabia. Dust cannot be eliminated by mere spray of water. Citizens should also make their houses dust free. We are determined to make Lahore dust free completely. 2-3 times roads will be washed in a week. Instead of the Jail Road, Mall Road and main boulevards, roads like Multan Road, Ferozepur Road and Circular Road will be washed. The washing of roads in the Shahdara area will be undertaken tonight. We want either to entirely eliminate dust where it is more or to minimise it. Hopefully, smog will be reduced with the reduction of dust through washing. CM apprised that a team comprises 100 workers and 04 teams have become proactive to wash the roads. The washing of roads will be done at night time so as to save people from inconvenience. The washing work will be completed from 8 pm till 6 ‘O clock in the morning. CM while replying to the media questions stated that we cannot say anything about artificial rain till now as work is ongoing. A little amount of clouds are required for the rainfall. Cycling can be done on a holiday and we cannot force the people to run their cycles. Traffic diversion experiment at the Garhi Shahu Chowk did not succeed.
People should also fulfil their cleanliness responsibilities along with the government. Dust prevails at some places more than it is found at the construction sites. We will also eliminate dust and the people should fulfil their responsibility in this regard as well. Housing and Cooperative Societies will also be directed to undertake washing of dust. 302 construction and repair of roads will be started in coming few days in Lahore and will be completed in 45 days. CM maintained that asking for a quality oil is the responsibility of the federal government. The checking of petrol pumps is ongoing. Petrol can also be saved with the usage of electric motorcycles and pollution will also be curbed in this way. In reply to a question, CM stated that Allah Almighty knows better about the arrival of political clouds as whether they will come or not. Commissioner Lahore division, Deputy Commissioner, DG PHA and concerned officials were also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, Mohsin Naqvi visited Police Khidmat Markaz Liberty late at night. There was a rush of people for obtaining their driving licences and the system was working slow. The citizens heaped a pile of complaints before CM Mohsin Naqvi with regard to waiting for long hours in order to obtain a driving licence. CM met with the citizens present inside and outside the Khidmat Markaz and inquired from them one by one about acquiring a driving licence. The citizens taking their driving tests also made complaints for waiting for 8,8 hours in order to take their driving test. CM by taking a prompt notice of the situation, telephoned DG PITB on the spot and directed him to streamline the system along with sending a team to the Khidmat Markaz on an emergency basis.
Mohsin Naqvi in order to provide relief to the citizens announced on the spot that a citizen bearing a token for obtaining a driving licence will not be challaned in next three days. CM assured the citizens to redress their complaints forthwith with regard to occurrence of delay. The citizens took personal interest in getting the driving licence issue resolved and thanked CM Mohsin Naqvi in this regard. CM directed the staff members present at the Khidmat Markaz that no delay should occur in obtaining a driving licence adding that obtaining the driving licence process should be completed at the earliest. Mohsin Naqvi directed to streamline the system along with making it fast track for the citizens taking their sign test.CM asserted that no undue delay would be tolerated in the licence obtaining process.
Separately, Ambassador of Iraq Mr. Hamid Abbas Lafta met with the Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi in which matters pertaining to mutual interest as well as promoting bilateral relations were discussed. Matters relating to religious tourism and promotion of culture also came under discussion. CM Mohsin Naqvi while talking with the Iraqi Ambassador stated that Pakistan enjoys long-term brotherly relations with Iraq. The relationship of attachment, love and sincerity prevail between the people of Pakistan and Iraq. There is a great potential of religious tourism between the two countries. CM apprised that the Punjab government has provided a conducive and favourable environment for the investment.
A Facilitation Center has been established for the investment in Lahore. 20 federal and provincial departments are available Under One Roof in the Facilitation Center. 106 NOCs for the foreign investors will be issued in two weeks. Mohsin Naqvi informed that such centres in Rawalpindi, Multan, Gujranwala and other big cities will become functional in one month.CM underlined that there is a need to undertake swift measures for the promotion of religious tourism between Iraq and Punjab. The Iraqi Ambassador acknowledged that CM Mohsin Naqvi is rendering appreciable services for the promotion of religious tourism adding that they want to fully benefit from the current investment opportunities in Punjab along with further strengthening bilateral fraternal relations.