Daily Times

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar presided over a high level meeting at the CM Officer here today in which progress on the infrastructure development, especially the construction and repair of roads, was reviewed. The proposed programme of infrastructure especially road sector for the financial year 2019-2020 was reviewed in detail.

Addressing the meeting, CM Usman Buzdar said roads in rural areas will be constructed and repaired under ”Naya Pakistan Manzelain Asan” programme and billions of rupees have been earmarked for this purpose. Every district will be provided funds in proportion to its population. He said new roads will be constructed and repaired for the promotion of agriculture, energy, industry, mining and tourism. Two-way roads and connecting roads will be constructed to connect cities of Punjab with CPEC. He said the schemes of road construction and repair will be completed on priority. The construction and repair of roads will have positive impact on agriculture economy and the rural population will get best travelling facilities. The chief minister directed that the schemes of the road sector should be completed in time and special attention should be paid on the roads of the rural areas. The secretary construction and communication briefed the chief minister on the road schemes. The chief secretary, chairman Planning and Development, principal secretary to CM, and other senior officers also attended the meeting.

The circle of Eitmad centres, set up with the cooperation of Saudi Arabia for biometric verification of Haj and Umrah pilgrims, will be enhanced. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting between Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar and Ambassador to Saudi Arabia to Pakistan Nawaf Bin Said Al Malki. Saudi Arab will set up Eitmad centres in other districts. In this first phase, Eitmad centre will be set up in Dera Ghazi Khan. Haj and Umrah pilgrims will get facilities due to setting up of Eitmad centres in more districts. CM Usman Buzdar thanked the ambassador of Saudi Arabia and said Saudi Arabia is a trusted friend of Pakistan and citizens will get biometric verification facility at their doorstep and they will not need to go to other cities for the biometric verification.

Later on the day, Newly appointed President of Bank of Punjab (BoP) Syed Muhammad Talib Rizvi called on Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar. Speaking on the occasion, CM Usman Buzdar said we will continue our cooperation to develop BoP on modern lines. He said BoP should take new and utilize latest techniques to provide best facilities its customers. He conveyed best wishes to new president of BoP and said he hopes that BoP will won prominent place under new chief.

The CM has decided to lift the ban on the parole to provide relief to the prisoners and necessary instructions have been issued to the Home Department in this regard. The chief minister also directed to send 400 prisoners imprisoned in jails of Punjab to send to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said immediate action should be taken as per law to send to them to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. As many as 400 prisoners from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are imprisoned in jails of Punjab and their relatives cannot meet them in jails. He said prisoners also have basic human rights and I am getting awareness about conditions of prisoners in jails. He said prisoners should get facilities as per jail manual, and children of woman prisoners should be properly looked after.

Earlier on the day, CM Punjab greeted the Christian community on Easter. In his message, he said the purpose of Easter is to spend time and share pleasantries with deserving people. The Christian community is peace-loving people, and we respect them and share their joys. He said Easter is the time to guide the humanity to welfare of humanity and promote pious qualities. Islam teaches us to respect all prophets and we believe in all prophets including Hazrat Essa (As) as this is part of our faith. Brotherhood, harmony and forgiving are teachings of Hazrat Essa (AS). He said the Christian community has rendered valuable services for the development and progress of Pakistan. The Christian community is rendering praiseworthy services in fields of education and service of humanity. The chief minister said all minorities in Pakistan enjoy equal rights. Pakistan is the country of all of us and all citizens have equal rights. The provision of fundamental rights, protection of life and property and giving opportunities for development to minorities is the responsibility of the state. He said we do not need to engage in the debate of minority and majority, and should work jointly for the progress and solidarity of the country. He said we should resolve to work for harmony and solidarity of the country.