Daily Times

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high-level meeting on Monday which reviewed the steps being taken for improving parking facilities in big cities, including Lahore.

Proposals regarding setting up of new bus terminals in Lahore were also considered. Addressing the meeting, Shahbaz Sharif said that improving parking system is responsibility of the departments concerned. He said that best parking would help ensure smooth flow of traffic. He said that programme for construction of new parking plazas should be implemented at the earliest.

He said that parking problem would also be resolved through mechanical parking machines. Necessary matters should be settled immediately for the establishment of modern bus terminals at Shahdara and Thokar Niaz Baig. These bus terminals should be state-of-the-art, he added. He said that meter parking should also be considered.

Separately, Shahbaz Sharif presided over another meeting that reviewed feasibility studies, models and other matters of Saaf Pani Programme. Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that provision of clean drinking water to the people is top priority of the government and this public welfare programme is directly related to human health.

He said that a lot of time has already been wasted with regard to implementation of the programme, however, now it will be forwarded speedily. He directed to present final plan regarding launching of Saaf Pani Programme in 37 tehsils within a week and added that water testing and survey work should be completed on an emergency basis.

He said that decisions would have to be taken in right direction and implemented immediately for carrying out rapid work on the programme, as there was no room for delay of even a single moment in this regard. Shahbaz Sharif said that provision of potable water to the masses is his mission and he will fulfil it at every cost.

In yet another meeting, Shahbaz Sharif was briefed on irregularities in the affairs of the Punjab Cooperatives Board for Liquidation and Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency. The chief minister took strict notice of irregularities in the land and properties of Punjab Cooperative Board of Liquidation and ordered to dissolve Punjab Cooperative Board for Liquidation and suspend its chairman and other board members.

He said that the anti-corruption department should take action as per law against the persons who committed irregularities and get register FIR against them while meeting legal demands. He ordered complete audit of the Punjab Cooperatives Board for Liquidation and said that immediate audit should be started by selecting the best firm.

He said that a new board of Punjab Cooperatives Board for Liquidation should be constituted and immediately reorganised. He said that legal demands were set aside for selling precious land of the board. Investigation against responsible people should be completed at the earliest, as selling property without process of auctioning is also illegal, he added.

Taking notice of irregularities in the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency, Shahbaz Sharif ordered action against those responsible for allotment of plots to low income families in Quaidabad area of Khushab district. He ordered suspension of those responsible for allotting plots illegally and said that action be taken against those violating the laid-down procedure.

He said that the anti-corruption department should present a report after conducting audit of all the schemes in the province. He said that there was no room for those committing corruption, and added that the corrupt would not escape punishment.