Maryam orders app launch for providing civic services at home

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Wednesday ordered the authorities concerned to launch an App under ‘Dastak’ programme immediately for providing civic services to people at their doorstep.

During a review of the programme, she was informed that initially, 10 services of local government and other departments would be made available to people of Lahore at their doorsteps through ‘Dastak’ App. These services include birth certificate, death certificate, marriage-certificate, divorce certificate, domicile, e-stamp, vehicle registration, vehicle transfer, token tax and property tax services. In future, more than 100 services are to be offered through ‘Dastak’ programme and more than 50,000 jobs would be created. The services in the second phase would include character certificate, police verification, learner’s driving licence, driving licence renewal, copy of FIR, duplicate driving licence and tenant registration, etc.

People would be able to avail these services by calling 1202 or through online Dastak’ App. Under the programme, a dedicated rider would provide the required services at people’s doorsteps. The CM ordered to start registration and training of riders immediately.

Separately, CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz chaired a review meeting on construction of 100,000 housing units for low-income people under ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ programme. She ordered for completing the site selection process in six major cities of Punjab for the purpose. These cities include Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Sargodha and Rawalpindi. The CM told the departments concerned to select sites keeping in view all basic amenities. “If spaces available, construct these houses in city centres; otherwise choose the nearest places to ensure public convenience,” she added.

The CM was briefed that the Board of Revenue had identified 117 sites across Punjab, which would be inspected and finalised immediately.

Meanwhile, CM Maryam Nawaz attended a ceremony held for signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Transport Department and the Bank of Punjab for provision of 20,000 bikes to students on easy monthly instalments. Secretary Transport Ahmed Javed Qazi and President Bank of Punjab Zafar Masood signed the MoU. The CM said: “19,000 petrol and 1,000 electric bikes will be given to students free of interest on monthly instalments.” She also inspected the proposed electric and petrol bikes for students.

Also, CM Maryam Nawaz presided over a meeting in which Secretary Higher Education Commission Dr Farrukh Naveed gave a briefing about the youth scholarship programme. She announced that 500 scholarships would be awarded for doing PhD in 20 disciplines.

Chairing another meeting here, the Punjab chief minister said the role of Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) was crucial for complete eradication of terrorism from the country. “Durable peace and stability are indispensable for economic progress. There cannot be any greater national service than safeguarding the life and property of people,” the CM added. She said extremism and murders being committed in the name of Islam were highly condemnable.

Maryam also visited the CTD headquarters, met with women officers and also had a group photo with them. She inaugurated the gymnasium and visited it as well.

Separately, Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) from Rawalpindi division met Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday. She ordered for restoration of PKLI Rawalpindi and ordered to review rehabilitation of the District Council Dispensaries across the province. The CM ordered for early completion of development work at Holy Family Hospital, along with getting early completion of the under-construction Murree and Rawat hospitals.

Maryam ordered for undertake essential measures to develop a playground in Taxila, adding that a small dam project would be launched for provision of drinking water to the city dwellers. She said the rural and basic health centres would be revamped within six months. Construction and repair of 600 roads, five expressways and three motorways would be built across Punjab. Hundred per cent free medicine and home delivery would be launched soon across the province. “We are making a state-of-the-art hospital in Murree,” she said.