Zeeshan assures traders of solving their problems

LAHORE: Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique has announced appointing a focal person in the Local Government Department.

The minister visited the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday. Addressing a gathering at the LCCI, the minister assured traders of taking measures to solve their problems on fast track.

He said the chamber should also appoint a focal person from its side for smooth communication with the government authorities. Earlier, Lahore Chamber President Kashif Anwar, Senior Vice President Zafar Mahmood Chaudhry and others welcomed the minister at his arrival at the chamber. The minister said the development of the industry is the guarantee of the country’s development.

Lahore Chamber should also play its role in 'Plant for Pakistan programme', he maintained. He said the Punjab government is taking steps to stabilise the local governments at the grass root level. 'Legislation on local governments should include consultation with the business community', he noted.

He said the Punjab government has one-point agenda of providing relief to the general public. The minister said 65 percent of the rural population of Punjab does not have access to essential municipal services. “For the first time, the CM decided to bring villages under the purview of civic services.”.

He said “Suthra Punjab Programme” will lead to providing sustainable model of sanitation. “The sanitation system will gradually become integrated and efficient”, he hoped. LCCI president Kashif Anwar praised the launch of ‘Suthra Punjab Programme’ and assured all possible support from the business community.

He requested for revision of billboard fees and installation of lights in markets. Meanwhile, on the eve of World Forest Day, Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique planted saplings at various places in Lahore under the pledge of Chief Minister Punjab “Plant for Pakistan”. The minister also planted a ‘muraya koengeii’ tree sapling in the town hall lawn and also prayed for the success of the plantation drive.

Later, he visited Jalo Park and planted two saplings there in connection with the plantation drive. Zeeshan Rafique planted a sapling representing Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb.

Additional Secretaries Forest Imran Ali, Tariq Naseem, Faiqa Sahar and AC Shalimar Town Dr. Anam Fatima and students of various schools also participated in the plantation campaign event. Addressing the participants, the minister vowed making Plant for Pakistan drive successful. He said effects of climate change could not be mitigated without plantation. He urged the involvement of citizens, especially students, during plantation.