Punjab CM directs linking DCs’ promotion with performance

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed linking the promotion of deputy commissioners with their performance along with selling roti and bread at fixed rates across the province.

She chaired a meeting to review price control and other affairs in which the performance report of deputy commissioners was submitted through monitoring indicators. She commended the performance of deputy commissioners of Narowal, Nankana Sahib, Hafizabad and Murree. Matters pertaining to stability of prices, development schemes, implementation of one dish ban at weddings, education and health were reviewed. She directed stakeholders not to impose fee on the selling of sacrificial animals in cattle markets. She said: “It is hoped that every deputy commissioner will perform his duties in a professional manner, and a visible difference should been seen in their working.” She said the monitoring process would continue till the price of roti gained stability. There should not be any complaint with regard to size of roti and its weight. Ensuring implementation is the foremost responsibility of deputy commissioners after the price of roti was fixed. Sheds should be built in waiting areas for patients in hospitals along with installation of fans. The patients and their attendants should be provided clean water in hospitals. The campaign to remove stray dogs attacking children should continue. Cleanliness arrangements should be ensured before the complaint of any citizen comes to surface. Presence of stagnant water and ponds in any city or village is unpardonable. Sewerage and other issues in cities and villages should be resolved on a priority basis. No compromise will be made on cleanliness arrangements and provision of other services. Every visit of a deputy commissioner should result in improvement of service for people. Deputy commissioners should pay a weekly visit to Special Education Schools.

She said a prior report about deteriorated buildings of schools be timely submitted and their repair work be ensured. Regular monitoring of streetlights and filtration plants should be undertaken. “Suthra Punjab” underlines cleanliness of every city and village across the province. Cleanliness arrangements in Lahore and other affairs have improved and need to be further improved. “It is our foremost responsibility to eradicate artificial price hike. The deputy commissioners should undertake monitoring of measles situation on a daily basis in their respective districts. The monitoring process of Field Hospitals and Clinics on Wheel should continue. A vaccination campaign should be launched on war footings for the prevention of measles. Pre-emptive steps should be undertaken owing to the presence of Congo virus in cattle markets. Every city should look neat and clean few hours after the performance of animal sacrifice on Eid.

Senator Pervez Rashid, Minister for Information Azma Zahid Bokhari, Special Assistant Zeeshan Malik, MPA Sania Ashiq, Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Principal Secretary to CM Sajid Zafar Daal, the commissioner Lahore and other officers attended the meeting while commissioners and deputy commissioners attended the meeting via video link.

Meeting with delegation: “Improvement and reforms in every sector are among my priorities,” said Maryam Nawaz while chairing a meeting with a 22-member delegation of local heads of UN subsidiary bodies, led by United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan Muhammad Yahya. The meeting discussed ongoing development projects in Punjab with the cooperation of United Nations agencies.

Maryam said: “I am trying to solve every public problem on a priority basis. Seeing the poor economy and deprived people, I keep thinking of strengthening them financially. She briefed the delegation on the government policy on education and health sector reforms. She said: “People will soon start benefitting from the reforms. Punjab’s agriculture has full potential to transform Pakistan’s economy. Farms in villages will be supported for livestock development, besides the provision of interest-free loans and machinery to small farmers. I want to see every woman of Punjab financially independent and prosperous. We are building a tax-free garment city in Punjab, where women will be given six months of free training and scholarship. We are trying to eliminate gender disparity. The first virtual police station for women has been established.”

She said: “For the first time, the best waste management system is being introduced in every city of Punjab. For the first time, a system of grading officers is being implemented to improve service delivery and good governance. Nawaz Sharif will make the IT City the Silicon Valley of Pakistan. Despite obstacles, I consider it an honour to be the chief minister of Pakistan’s largest province. We are designing a system of providing complete health facilities in all districts. For the first time in Pakistan, an air ambulance service will start in Punjab, and the first public sector cancer hospital is being built in Lahore.”

She said 2500 Basic Health Units, 300 Rural Health Centres and major hospitals in the province were being revamped, besides free delivery of two-month medicines at the doorsteps of patients suffering from fatal diseases. She said: “To cope with stunting and malnutrition in children, we are providing free milk to the students of public sector primary schools across Punjab. Not only Lahore, the development of every city in Punjab is my priority.”

In the meeting, it was agreed to increase cooperation in education, health, agriculture and other sectors. Maryam said: “The common goal of UN projects and our priorities are to serve the people of Punjab. The target of construction of one lakh houses for low-income people will be met with the cooperation of UN agencies.” Yahya said: “I was eager to see Lahore, the people of Punjab are impressive. We will fully support the Punjab government in its public welfare mission. UNDP representative Samuel said: “The welfare projects of Pakistan, especially Punjab, are commendable.”

Senator Pervez Rashid and Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman also attended the meeting.

Meeting with French officials: “Pakistan and France have a rich history of friendship and cooperation,” said Maryam in a meeting with French Ambassador Nicolas Galey and Economic Consul Laurent Chopiton to discuss various possible avenues of mutual cooperation. Gayle appreciated various public welfare initiatives of the chief minister in Punjab. He said: “We want to work together for the development and stability of Pakistan.”

It was agreed in the meeting to increase cooperation on measures to combat climate change and environmental protection. “Collaboration is essential in addressing global challenges such as climate change. World No Tobacco Day: “Ensure implementation of a ban on smoking in public places,” said Maryam in her message on the World No Tobacco Day. She said: “Use of tobacco can be fatal to human health. More than 250,000 deaths per year in Pakistan due to smoking is a matter of grave concern. Smoking is also a major cause for heart attack among young people. Parents should be vigilant to prevent children from smoking.”