CM opens three projects on his last working day

LAHORE : Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi inaugurated three projects on his last working day as provincial chief minister on Saturday. Besides this, he also made three inspection visits to assess the working of different departments.

First of all, Mohsin Naqvi along with the Punjab Cabinet inaugurated the upgraded Safari Park. The opening of Lahore Safari Park after its upgradation was a fulfilment of his another promise. He along with the provincial ministers conducted a detailed two hours visit of the Safari Park.

CM bought tickets for himself, provincial ministers and for the officers at the information centre from his own pocket. Naqvi expressed his affection with the children of SOS Village who came to visit the Safari Park.

He visited the lion and tiger safari in a special vehicle and directed to further improve the loin and tiger safari. He witnessed lions roaming in an open and free environment from the vehicle.

CM also witnessed the Hologram Zoo by wearing special glasses and expressed his affection with the panda through the Hologram Zoo. He underwent a safari visit to witness the salt range, ostrich, deer, stag, kudu, aryal and other animals. He also visited the Desert Safari, Aquarium and took a round of the entire park. Secretary C&W and Secretary Forest gave a briefing about the Safari Park project.

CM while talking with the media persons stated that today was his last working day and tomorrow the election of the new Chief Minister will take place. We had made a promise with the children to upgrade the Safari Park and Lahore Zoo whose completion was part of our priorities.

He said the Safari Park has been opened for the children and they will definitely feel overjoyed by visiting it. The entry of school students will be free for one month in Safari Park.

He said an excellent aquarium has been built in the Safari Park and night safari facility will also be provided. Excellent arrangements have been made for the corporate sector in the Safari Park.

CM apprised that 90% work of Lahore Zoo and Safari Park has been completed and only 10% work is remaining. He commended the performance of Secretary C&W Sohail Ashraf who made everything possible which seemed to be impossible. He remarked that he has an excellent team of bureaucracy working with him. If I worked for 10 hours then the bureaucracy worked for 16 hours.

Moreover, CM Mohsin Naqvi inaugurated the CBD Route 47 where CEO CBD Imran Amin gave a briefing about the project.

CM while addressing the ceremony stated that the CBD has proved its worth by all means like an asset for undertaking progress of the Punjab province. CBD Route 47 will link with the Main Boulevard Gulberg, CBD Punjab Quaid District will link with the Walton Road and CBD Punjab will link with the Bab District. He said the CBD Route will provide assistance in resolving traffic problems in Lahore on a permanent basis. Hopefully, CBD Punjab will also accomplish its remaining ongoing projects before the stipulated timeline. CBD Route 47 is a dual road project which comprises 6 lanes and is 4.2 km long.

CM said Secretary Housing and CEO CBD Imran Amin worked with a great amount of diligence and got the projects completed within the stipulated time frame on which both of them deserve due congratulation. CBD launched a low-cost housing scheme for the journalists as well whose balloting process has been undertaken.

Likewise, the government officers housing scheme will also be completed soon and these beneficial steps will create ease among the lives of the people. It was informed during the briefing that the project has cost Rs one billion and it has been completed in 60 days.

Provincial Ministers Amir Mir, Azfar Ali Nasir, Commissioner Lahore, CEO CBD Punjab Imran Amin, COO CBD Punjab Brig (retd) Mansoor Janjua and other senior officials were also present in the inaugural ceremony.

Meanwhile, another project being postponed for the last 10 years has been completed. CM Naqvi inaugurated the police apartments near Bhubtian on Saturday. The police personnel have been allotted 90 flats.

CM visited the police apartments and inspected their construction work. IG Police gave a briefing to the CM regarding their construction work. CM while addressing the inaugural ceremony stated that this project had been halted for a long period of time which has now been completed by our govt.

The police force should take pride in their IG Police Dr Usman Anwar as he has undertaken mega projects for the welfare of the Punjab Police.

Chief Secretary and IG Police also addressed the ceremony. Chief Secretary, IG Police, Secretary C&W, Commissioner Lahore, CCPO and concerned officials were also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Mohsin Naqvi visited the Head Office of Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) at Qurban Lines. The officers and staff members of the PSCA accorded him a warm reception by applauding. A special ceremony was held at the PSCA Head Office in the backdrop of launching the Safe City projects in three big cities during one year along with launching work on the Safe City projects in 18 cities and granting approval to the Safe City projects in 14 cities.

CM while addressing the ceremony stated that the Safe Cities System has been made operational in Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Gujranwala. Work on the Smart Safe City projects in additional 18 cities of Punjab has been launched. A principled approval has also been granted to constitute a Safe City Network in the remaining 14 cities.

He said 23,000 cameras were purchased for undertaking monitoring during the general elections and Rs 1 billion has been saved in this regard. The cameras being purchased for the monitoring of general elections have been made operational after being installed in the 14 cities. CM outlined that he would always take pride in the Safe City projects during his 13 months tenure.

The scope of the Safe City projects has been widened across Punjab and approval to all the Safe City projects has been accorded as well. "I have a strong conviction that the Safe City Authority will also install Safe City projects in other countries of the world on account of their professional skills."

CM was also presented a memento during the ceremony. IG Police, MD PSCA, Commissioner Lahore, CCPO and concerned officials were also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi visited the Shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA). CM paid tributes to the exemplary religious services rendered by Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA) for the promotion of Islam. He prayed for the progress, prosperity, stability and peace of the country. CM especially prayed for the liberation of the oppressed Palestinian and Kashmiri Muslims. Naqvi also prayed for the martyrs who laid down their precious lives for the dear homeland. Khateeb Data Darbar Mufti Ramzan Sialvi held a special prayer.

Meanwhile, CM Naqvi visited the Ganga Ram Hospital and Civil Secretariat late at night. CM reviewed the provision of facilities in the model room of the Ganga Ram Hospital.

Mohsin Naqvi inspected the facilities being provided in the model private room and directed to provide facilities in all other private rooms on the same pattern of the model room. CM directed to place chairs in the private rooms. Mohsin Naqvi reviewed renovation work of the Civil Secretariat and appreciated its quality work.

Chief Secretary gave a briefing with regard to renovation work of the Civil Secretariat.