Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said on Monday that homeless and needy people living in Panahgahs will be provided free treatment facilities. Presiding over a meeting at his office about the affairs pertaining to the Panahgah project, CM Buzdar said doctors will inspect the ailing residing people in the evening and medicines will also be provided to them. He said that keeping in view the utility of this project, the Panahgah will also be established in other districts of the province in collaboration with philanthropists. He said ailing people from Panahgahs will be referred to the hospitals for further treatment on the recommendation of doctors. He directed that breakfast and dinner should be provided in time to the people getting shelters there adding that no complaint should arise with regard to it. He said that police should be deputed along with civil defense volunteers for the protection of passengers and cooperation of Punjab Information Technology Board will also be obtained for bio-metric verification. Similarly, construction of buildings of permanent Panahgahs should be constructed as soon as possible, he added. The CM directed the police that crackdown should be initiated against the drug-traffickers and addicts. He also directed to display the devised rules and regulations with regard to staying of passengers at Panahgah. The meeting was told that officials of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Office and Social Welfare Department are performing duties in Panahgah and arrival and departure record of every person coming to Panahgah is entered in the presence of concerned officials. An average of 180 to 230 people stay in different shelter homes situated in Railway Station, Data Darbar, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lorry Adda and Fruit Mandi Badami Bagh everyday where they are provided bed, dinner and breakfast. The CM was also apprised about the progress made with regard to construction of permanent Panahgah institutions. Secretaries of Social Welfare and Information Departments, Lahore Development Authority director general, DGPR and DC Lahore attended the meeting. Separately, Buzdar said that devolution of power and development funds at grassroots level will be ensured in the new local bodies system. Presiding over a meeting at his office to review progress on 100 days plan, Buzdar said that he desires to transform Punjab as a model province with regard to implementation on this plan. He said that steps having far-reaching effects are being taken in healthcare, education and agriculture sectors. The promises made for the provision of employment and construction of homes will also be fulfilled, he added. The CM divulged that historic changes are being introduced in tourism and livestock sectors. On the occasion, a briefing was given to the CM about special projects and steps of 15 selected departments. Chief Secretary (CS), additional CS, principal secretary to CM, Spokesman to CM Dr Shahbaz Gill, head of Special Monitoring Unit and others attended the meeting. Separately, Buzdar ordered for strict notice over incident of misbehaviour with a woman at a hotel in Murree. After the incident, the CM suspended the check-post in-charge and directed Islamabad inspector general to initiate inquiry into the matter. Earlier, a video footage of the incident had gone viral on social media swinging the CM into action. The video shows the hotel agent abusing the woman. The passers-by and traffic police officers intervened and stopped the agent from foul play. On the other hand, police did not take any action and denied to file the First Information Report citing jurisdiction issue. Given the spate of such incidents of torture and misconduct, public has urged the chief justice and Prime Minister Imran Khan to take note in order to check incidence of menace. Published in Daily Times, December 18th 2018.