E-tendering to ensure fairness in contracts: CM

LAHORE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has said e-tendering system will be introduced in the government departments soon to ensure transparency in the contracting process.

The modern facility would be implemented in phases, said the chief minister while presiding over a meeting at his office here on Tuesday. The e-tendering system will ensure transparency, eliminate corruption and the national resources would be spent on public welfare, he added.

The CM said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was ensuring transparency and embezzlement of national resources would be eliminated as all departments would be bound to award contracts through the e-tendering system from the next financial year. The meeting decided that rural roads would be constructed and repaired under "Naya Pakistan, Manzalain Asaan" programme to benefit the people living there. Unlike in the past, three times more development funds were being allocated for construction of roads in backward districts, the CM said, adding that development funds would be provided to villages in every district in proportionate to the rural population.

Public-Private Partnership Authority: Usman Buzdar on Tuesday directed for constituting a high-level committee for formulation of comprehensive recommendations to form Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Authority.

Presiding over a meeting held at his office for establishment of the Public-Private Partnership Authority, the CM said that the committee would submit its recommendations soon. PAF: Air Officer Commanding, Central Air Command, Pakistan Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Irfan Ahmad called on Chief Minister Usman Buzdar at his office here on Tuesday.

The chief minister paid rich tributes to the PAF for failing the nefarious designs of the enemy and ensuring protection of air frontiers of the country. He also appreciated the gallantry and professional competence of the PAF falcons. The CM extolled the successful PAF response and downing of India Air Force (IAF) planes for violating the Line of Control.

exploration: Usman Buzdar on Tuesday directed the departments concerned to accelerate exploration of minerals in Chiniot, Sargodha and other areas of the province. Presiding over a meeting at CM office, the CM said the government would utilise these minerals for economic development of people.

The chief minister said that exploration of minerals would help promote industrial sector besides creating more job opportunities. He said that there was huge potential in Punjab for exploring minerals as various areas of the province have abundance of mineral resources.