LAHORE: Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari called on Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar at the CM office on Thursday.
Both reiterated the commitment of ensuring prosperity for the people of South Punjab and vowed to uplift the living standards of the people belonging to the most neglected areas. They said on the occasion that instead of making hollow claims, practical steps will be taken to facilitate the people of South Punjab as both the chief minister and deputy speaker also hail from South Punjab.
“The people of southern Punjab will move ahead in the journey of prosperity,” he added. The deprivations of southern Punjab will be removed and real change will be introduced by improving the standards of health and educational institutions, both agreed. He said that development and prosperity is the right of every city and town of the province and the government is fully cognisant of socio-economic needs of people living in backward areas. It is regrettable that tall claims were made in the past but practical performance remained zero and injustice was meted out to the people.
Along with south Punjab, all the deprived areas are centre of attention of the government and every effort will be made to bring the deprived segments at par with the affluent of the society, he added. He said that all facilities will be provided in the tribal areas of Dera Ghazi Khan and communication network will be improved by construction and expansion of roads network. Member of National Assembly Sardar Riaz Mazari, Adviser to CM Akram Chaudhary and others were also present on the occasion.
Sardar Usman Buzdar conducted a surprise visit to Arfa Karim Software Technology Park and e-Khidmat Markaz.
He inspected different sections of the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and looked over various facilities.
Talking on the occasion, the chief minister said that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government will improve the organisational capacity of government departments by using latest information and communication technologies. He said that a state-of-the-art CM Complaint Cell will be established through the technical support of PITB to immediately solve the problems faced by the people. He directed that immediate steps should be taken for the establishment of the CM Complaint Cell and added that this cell will play an effective role to solve the problems masses. An effective awareness campaign should also be launched so that people could know what the government is doing to solve their problems. He said that information technology is the key to progress which could create mammoth employment opportunities for youth. The government will encourage youth in the IT field so that they could explore their potential and excel in life.
Later, the CM visited e-Khidmat Markaz and inspected the facilities provided to the citizens. He met with the visitors and inquired about their problems. He announced to expand the scope of establishment of e-Khidmat Markaz and added that such centres should be established at every district so that people could be accommodated at their doorsteps.
PITB Chairman Dr Umar Saif gave a briefing to the CM about the IT based reforms introduced in different government departments.
UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) Head Joanna Reid also called on Usman Buzdar at his office.
On the occasion, a discussion was held about expanding the scope of ongoing social sector development programme between the Punjab government and the DFID. Buzdar said that PTI government fully believes in the durable development of the social sector as improving health, education and skills development sector is the need of the hour.
“We appreciate the cooperation of DFID and look forward to expand this partnership for providing quality facilities to the people,” concluded the CM. Senior minister Abdul Aleem Khan, Planning & Development department chairman and others were present on the occasion.
Published in Daily Times, September 14th 2018.