Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said on Wednesday that the provincial government will promote cultural activities in which the famous horse & cattle show will also be resumed and the centuries-old culture of traditional festivals will be re-established. He said that famous personalities belonging to art and culture will be made brand-ambassadors in the Clean & Green Pakistan campaign as well. The Punjab chief minister said that in this regard, he has started consulting provincial cultural committee members to promote cultural activities in the province. The cultural committee members led by renowned socialite Yousaf Salahuddin called on the chief minister and presented different proposals for the protection of heritage and culture of Punjab. Sardar Usman Buzdar assured the members of the committee that all their problems will be resolved adding that the Punjab government will provide every possible assistance for the promotion of arts and culture and the artists will be given their due rights. “It is sanguine that Punjab’s rich culture enjoys conspicuous identity and immaculate repute in the world and our artists will become the symbol of the country through their talents,” he said adding that the support and promotion of artists will help to promote soft national image. The CM said that different opportunities will be provided to the artists belonging to Southern Punjab and other far-flung areas. The role of information & culture department is pivotal for promotion of cultural activities and arts councils will be made fully active to achieve the goal, he added. Provincial Minister for Information & Culture Fayyazul Hassan Chohan, CM Spokesperson Dr Shahbaz Gill, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf women assembly members and famous personalities like Amjad Islam Amjad, Syed Noor, Shaan Shahid, Munazza Hashmi, Wasay Chaudhry, Jan Rambo, Shahida Mini, Humera Arshad and Anjuman were also present on the occasion. Separately, Usman Buzdar said that the process of mutual consultations with assembly members will continue and matters related to that will be resolved on priority basis. He stated this while speaking during separate meetings with Members of Provincial Assembly belonging to Dera Ghazi Khan and Sargodha who called on him at Punjab Assembly. Buzdar said that action will be initiated against those trying to create any hindrance and every task will be completed on merit. Market committees, peace committees, zakat committees and development committees will be reconstituted and assembly members will be given representation in these committees, he added. The CM said that assembly members will be given their full rights by the government. He also announced to name Nicholson Road after Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan and directed that immediate steps be taken in this regard. Buzdar listened to the problems of the MPAs and issued directives to the quarters concerned. He said that law and order situation of every district including DG Khan will be improved. He directed to initiate indiscriminate action against the criminals and mafias. The land grabbers and encroachments will be totally removed, he said adding that poor will not be disturbed during operation against land grabbers and encroachments. The CM said that he is well aware of the difficulties faced by the people at arazi centres and that is why, the number of such centres will be increased so that people residing in far-flung areas can benefit from them. He assured that a definite change will be witnessed at arazi centres by January next year. Similarly, public problems related to land record management system will be removed and 20 mobile vans will be provided soon to help the people of remote areas access this system, he added. Buzdar announced that the number of arazi centres will be doubled and the problems of Nishtar Hospital will be solved on priority basis. He said that unnecessary projects and schemes had erupted during the previous government’s tenure but we will not provide funds for such projects. The federal government will be contacted to issue identity cards to the people living in remote areas of DG Khan. The CM informed that funds have been provided for the provision of missing facilities in schools. The government departments will have to show performance and idleness will not be tolerated. We will serve the masses jointly and no one will be allowed to disrupt the mission of public service, he added. He said that the proposals presented by assembly members will be implemented and it is a good omen that people perceiving positive change around them. Buzdar said that he will visit different districts and divisions to review the problems and consultation of assembly members will also be solicited, he added. Published in Daily Times, October 25th 2018.