Daily Times

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar chaired a high-level meeting at his office on Wednesday to review the performance of Primary & Secondary Health, Specialised Health & Medical Education, Board of Revenue, Punjab Land Record Authority, PDMA, Industries, and Agriculture departments.

He also reviewed the ongoing public welfare schemes for the citizens of Lahore and directed to expedite the development work for providing early relief to the people.

Addressing the meeting, he said that every possible step will be taken to facilitate the people. We do not believe in lip-service but the people will be facilitated through practical measures, he added. He said that billions of rupees were wasted on exhibitory projects during the last ten years and criminal negligence was shown by totally ignoring the fundamental needs of the people. Former rulers did such things which were not needed to the people, he maintained. However, PTI government is giving particular attention to providing necessary facilities to the general public.

The Chief Minister directed the line departments to remain fully vigilant and alert in the wake of the possible threat of flood. He directed to remove encroachments in riverine areas and added that all possible steps should be taken to combat the possible flood. He said that the latest weather radar will be installed with an amount of Rs.737 million in Sialkot to monitor the weather situation. He directed to work on an emergent basis to improve the organizational capacity of PDMA and added that the number of Arazi centers will be increased to facilitate the people at doorsteps. He directed that construction of 115 new Arazi centers should be completed by December 31 adding that new centers will create more employment opportunities besides providing relief to the people.

Usman Buzdar said that the healthcare system is being improved by revamping the health department on modern lines. The government is recruiting new doctors to fulfill their shortage in remote areas. He emphasized that the medicines’ procurement system will be made foolproof and disclosed that only disposable razors could be used at barber-shops to avoid Hepatitis disease. Punjab Health Department should take necessary steps to ensure the use of disposable razors, he added. He informed that emergencies of THQ hospitals will be upgraded and in the first phase, emergencies of 100 THQ hospitals will be upgraded by the government. He regretted that very low resources were allocated for improving the sewerage system during the last ten years and added that the Punjab government is starting a new project worth Rs.14 billion to improve the sewerage system of Lahore. He said that a project costing billions of rupees is being launched in the provincial metropolis to provide clean drinking water to the people. Similarly, comprehensive planning has been made to repair street lights and roads patchwork in Lahore, he added. Provincial Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid, SMBR, Principal Secretary to CM, Secretary Specialized Health & Medical Education, Secretary Agriculture, Secretary Industries, Commissioner Lahore Division, Special Secretary Primary & Secondary Health, DG PDMA, DG Punjab Land Record Authority and head of SMU attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, a delegation of Flour Mills Association called on Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar at his office and announced not to increase the price of flour adding that there would be no shortage of flour nor its price will be increased and the rate of Roti will not be increased as well. They thanked the Chief Minister for solving the tax relating issue and said that Usman Buzdar has conveyed their point of view about implementation of tax to the federal government in a best manner. The delegation said that they appreciate the efforts of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar for providing relief to the people and assured that they would work side by side with the government in this regard. Usman Buzdar fully understands the problems of the common man and he also feels the pain of the common man. They said that PTI government is our own and we are with the government in the mission of public welfare.

Talking on the occasion, Usman Buzdar said that the PTI government is making every effort to provide relief to the common man. The decision of the Flour Mills Association regarding not increasing the rate of flour is laudable as it would not burden the common man. He said that the Punjab government will continue the process of consultation with the Flour Mills Association in future as well and their problems will be solved on a priority basis. I am here for public service, the Chief Minister concluded.

Those who called on the Chief Minister included Chairman Flour Mills Association Habib Khan Leghari, member Asim Raza, former Chairman Mian Riaz, Senior Vice President Hafiz Ahmad and former Chairman Ch. Iftikhar. Food Minister Samiullah Chaudhary, Chief Secretary, Secretary Food, Secretary Industries, Secretary Information and Director Food were also present.

Separately, Buzdar expressed a deep sense of sorrow and grief over the loss of precious human lives due to roofs falling in Kot Abdul Malik and Kahna. He extended sympathies to the bereaved families and directed that injured be provided with best treatment facilities.