Directive to complete municipal services in 16 cities on time

LAHORE:Provincial Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq has instructed the officers concerned to complete the project of providing municipal services in 16 cities of Punjab in a timely manner with the support of World Bank.

The minister said that funds of Rs51 billion have been released for the project. He expressed his satisfaction over the fact that the project of municipal services in 16 cities is getting progress under which sewerage, storm water drainage, water supply, installation of street lights and rehabilitation of parks, bus stands and roads schemes were being prepared.

“Under the Punjab Cities Program (PCP), master planning has been done for Hafizabad, Jhelum, Daska, Kamonke, Vehari, Muridke, Wazirabad, Gojra, Bahawalnagar, Kot Addu and Khanewal. Burewala, Okara, Kamalia and Jhang are also included in the same project”, he said.

The minister expressed the hope that the PCP will be completed during the current year. “Providing quality municipal services to citizens is the mission of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The scope of the program will be extended to other cities of Punjab in the next phase”, he figured out.

Zeeshan Rafiq added that the Punjab government wants to benefit as many people as possible from the limited available resources. “For this, PMDFC has to accelerate its pace”, he remarked.

He directed to pay special attention to master planning keeping in mind the challenges being faced. “A request has been forwarded to the Punjab Public Service Commission for the recruitment of municipal officers on vacant posts. “The recruitment process will be completed soon”, he hoped.

Shafay visits Quran Complex; expresses anger over dust on books in library

Minister for Industries, Commerce and Auqaf Chaudhry Shafay Hussain visited the Quran Complex, inspected the library, lecture hall, building and offices of Khatam-un-Nabiyyeen University here on Tuesday.

He expressed his strong anger over the dust on the books in the library and directed for proper maintenance of the library. The minister was briefed on the schemes of the Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department in the Quran Board. Secretary Auqaf Dr Tahir Raza Bukhari informed the minister about the progress on development schemes. The minister directed for ensuring timely, transparent and quality completion of development schemes and said that follow-up is necessary for the timely completion of development schemes.

He said that Khatam-un-Nabiyyeen University is indispensable and will be fully activated. By activating the university, we will make it a centre for research and promotion of religious sciences in the true sense and students of religious schools will be given access to the university, he said, adding Quran Board and the Mutahidda Ulema Board will be fully mobilised and renowned religious scholars will be included in these boards. He has sought a plan to improve the cleaning system of shrines and mosques organised by the Auqaf.