Daily Times

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar presided over the meeting of Standing Committee on Finance & Development at committee room of Punjab Assembly on Wednesday.

Different matters pertaining to finance and development as well as annual report of Punjab Revenue Authority for the financial year 2015-16 were given approval. This report will be presented to Punjab Assembly after the approval of the committee. The matter of increasing the royalty rates of mines was deferred until the next meeting. Addressing the meeting, CM Buzdar said that public sector departments should ensure implementation of financial discipline as violation of rules and regulations will not be tolerated. All possible steps should be taken to ensure transparency in financial matters, he added. Provincial Ministers Hashim Jawan Baksh, Mian Aslam Iqbal and secretaries of concerned departments attended the meeting.

Separately, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Amanullah called on Buzdar at his office and discussed different matters pertaining to the legal fraternity. The CM paid tributes to lawyers’ struggles for the supremacy of Constitution and law in the country and added that their role in this regard is very pivotal. The legal community has to play a proactive role in providing justice to the common man. The CM said that he will soon meet the delegation of Bar representatives. All possible steps will be taken for the welfare of the legal community, he added. SCBA President Amanullah said that Buzdar has done a marvelous job in a short span of time.

Separately, Australian High Commissioner Margaret Adamson called on Buzdar at his office.

During the meeting, both discussed different matters of mutual interest including promotion of Pakistan-Australia relations and enhancement of mutual cooperation in healthcare, education, livestock, skills-development, water-management and tourism sectors. They also agreed to expand bilateral partnership. The Australian high commissioner congratulated Buzdar on his assumption of the office of CM.

Talking on the occasion, Buzdar said that Pakistan and Australia enjoy best cordial relations and vast opportunities are available for foreign investors in Punjab. A very conducive atmosphere has been provided to the investors in the new Pakistan, he added. We are taking different steps on priority basis to promote investment and investment-friendly atmosphere has been provided to the foreign investors. He said that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government wants to further promote its relations with Australia in different sectors of life to benefit the people and expanded exchange of delegations will help promote socio-economic cooperation. He pointed out that Australia has a lot of expertise in livestock, dairy development and agriculture sectors and viable opportunities are available for Australian investment in Information Technology and tourism sectors in Pakistan. We are also desirous of benefiting from Australian model in these sectors, he added. He said that Australian investors should take maximum benefit of vast investment opportunities in Punjab and they will be provided every possible facility by the government. Exchange of business delegations will also help boost the investment between the two countries, he added.

Margaret Adamson said that cooperation will be extended to Punjab government for capacity-building and technical training of commercial farmers in agriculture and livestock sectors. Meanwhile, partnership will also be expanded for better utilisation of water in irrigation and agriculture sectors as agricultural productivity can be enhanced by providing better training to the farmers. Australia is ready to cooperate with Punjab government in this regard and different measures will be taken for promoting cooperation with Punjab province, he added. She expressed her satisfaction that law and order situation has been improved in Pakistan and especially in the province of Punjab. A number of Australian companies working in Gulf States are also intending to invest in Pakistan and its natural beauty and cultural diversity are the example of its own, she added.

Principal secretary to CM, Punjab Board of IT chief executive officer and other high officials were also present on the occasion.

Separately, Buzdar took notice of the death of a girl after she was hit by a school bus in Jhelum and sought a report from the administration as well as from the police.

He has ordered to investigate the incident and directed to take action against the responsible person. He has also extended condolence to the bereaved family.

Buzdar also expressed a deep sense of sorrow and grief over the loss of precious human lives in a traffic accident near Muzaffargarh and extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved heirs.

He directed to provide best treatment to the injured. The CM has also sought a report from the administration.

Published in Daily Times, December 13^th 2018.