LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar held an informal meeting with senior journalists and anchorpersons at Punjab House on Tuesday. Talking on the occasion, he said that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government fully believes in public service and “we are working hard to solve the problems of the common man. We are standing with the infirm and feeble communities and are against the mafias”. Indiscriminate action is being taken against land grabbers in Punjab and so far more than 88,000 acres of state-land has been recovered. The cost of the land is around Rs 150 billion to Rs 200 billion, he said. The Punjab chief minister said that resources are diverted towards backward areas, especially southern Punjab, while a few cities were given importance in the past. “We will move forward the journey of composite development,” he added. He said that constructive criticism of media provides necessary guidance. The role of media with regard to highlighting public problems is praiseworthy and its positive criticism and proposals will be welcomed. He reiterated that Punjab will be transformed by sincerely implementing the reforms agenda of the PTI. The government is giving particular attention to composite development of the province along with solving the problems of the general public. He said that every possible step is being taken to bring consummate improvement in the performance of the institutions. Meanwhile, elected representatives are also in constant contact with the people for solving their problems, he added. The Punjab CM said that particular attention has been focused to the development of social sector and results of change in Punjab will be visible very soon. He said that Chief Minister’s Complaint Centre has been established to facilitate the general public and complaints about health, education, police and deputy commissioner office can be lodged there. The scope of this complaint centre will be extended to the whole of the province and public grievances will be redressed at the level of districts, tehsils and villages. Usman Buzdar said that he is personally monitoring this centre and added that it would help to bring improvement in the working culture of public sector departments. A secretariat is being established in southern Punjab so that people may not have to visit Lahore for redressal of their grievances. “We are actively working to provide relief to the general public and every sort of step is being taken in this regard,” the CM said and also apprised the media men about ongoing development projects and reforms agenda of the government. Spokesman to CM Dr Shahbaz Gill was also present on the occasion. Separately, CM Usman Buzdar said that people engaged in voluntary services perform their duties during natural calamities with commitment without any expectations or financial interest which is a commendable thing. In his message, the CM said that volunteers rise above the geographical limitations and cultural and language barriers to serve humanity with passion and commitment. The role of voluntary organisations and people is of exemplary importance in the society and the damages of untoward incidents can be minimised by providing professional trainings to volunteers. He said that serving the ailing humanity is high moral value and an important lesson of Islam. It is the requirement of humanity that all human beings should be served without any covetousness or greed. The role of voluntary organisations carries vital importance during earthquakes, floods and similar calamities. Voluntary organisations engaged in different public welfare projects deserve accolades, he said, adding that this day provides a platform for initiating collective efforts during disasters for saving lives. The purpose of this day is to pay tributes to the organisations and volunteers engaged in different public welfare assignments, he said. We should also make a commitment to encourage the social workers and volunteers engaged in public welfare, the chief minister concluded. Separately, Buzdar said that all steps are being taken to bring improvement in the performance of the provincial government departments. Published in Daily Times, December 5th 2018.