Buzdar announces Rs25 bn uplift projects for Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Hafizabad

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar announced a development package worth more than Rs10 billion for Sheikhupura along with establishment of Waris Shah University during his visit to the district Wednesday.

The chief minister also inaugurated a tree-plantation drive at Sheikhupura Gymkhana. At the outset, the CM inaugurated district education complex, Muridke trauma centre, CTD regional office and Faisalabad road to Sharaqpur Chowk dual road projects worth Rs1.27 billion, said a handout issued here.

He also laid the foundation stone of a water supply and drainage project costing Rs410 million in Sheikhupura besides meeting with parliamentarians and notables. PML-N MPA Mian Jalil Sharaqpuri also called on the chief minister.

Talking on the occasion, the chief minister said the Sheikhupura development package would resolve problems of the area, adding that 19 mega projects would also be started with an amount of Rs8.38 billion in Sheikhupura.

Meanwhile, eight projects including Narang Mandi Cadet College, supply and drainage of water, healthcare, educational and roads repair schemes would be started.

The foundation stone of Manawala to Sucha Sauda road was laid to promote tourism. This project would cost Rs640 million, the CM said, adding the government was working to complete the Sheikhupura-Gujranwala road. While talking to the parliamentarians, Buzdar announced to visit all districts of the province, and said the development packages would be finalised with the consultation of the parliamentarians.

The development process had been extended to backward areas as progress was the right of every locality, he added. “Early implementation of the district development package will be ensured and I will monitor the development schemes,” the CM added.

Talking to media, the chief minister said a huge development package had been announced and an in principle decision had also been made to detach Sheikhupura from the jurisdiction of LDA.

Necessary steps were being taken for the establishment of Waris Shah University as the establishment of universities in every district was a commitment of the government, he emphasised.

“The government intends to accord every district its rights and I will continue to conduct visits to review the development process,” he added. No one was politically victimised and utmost effort was being made to deliver on merit, the CM emphasised and further mentioned that he had always strived to follow rules and merit.

The CM said issues pertaining to the Sheikhupura Press Club were sympathetically reviewed and journalists would be given health cards on priority basis.

The CM took strict notice of complaints of corruption during his Sheikhupura visit and SDO Local Government Waseemuddin and tehsildar Muridke Ahmed Raza Sultan were suspended and departmental action was ordered.

“Corruption is intolerable and there is no room for corrupt officers in the province,” the CM added. The chief minister also visited Gujranwala and announced new development projects worth Rs8.41 billion along with the establishment of a university.

The chief minister announced new projects including a flyover at Alam Chowk as well as internal and external link roads in the city.

He announced that 14 more projects will be started including a burn unit with estimated cost of Rs1.92 billion.

He also announced University of Gujranwala project with sub-campuses of the Punjab University and UET, said a handout. “The necessary process has already been started and I will monitor this project,” the CM added.

Meanwhile, the federal government will also be approached for improvement of GT Road. He also announced that a road will be constructed to link Gujranwala with Sialkot-Lahore Motorway.

Briefing the media about steps for public welfare, the chief minister said Sahulat Bazaars will be established at the level of tehsil and food items will be provided at the rates of 2018 in Ramazan Bazaars. To a question referring to the PML-N stance, he termed it improper to take processions to institutions and asserted that law will come into action over “any violation of law”.

The CM inaugurated four projects worth Rs7.84 billion at Ghakar Sports Arena. He also inaugurated Ghakar Sports Arena, Gujranwala Arts Council auditorium, OPD unit of teaching hospital medical college Gujranwala and 62.5 acre landfill site project. He handed over keys of 106 vehicles of Gujranwala Waste Management Company to officials and laid the foundation stone of BS Block in Government Postgraduate College for Women, Shadab Training Institute and building of Special Education Centre Kamoke worth Rs2.23 billion.

The Lahore-Sialkot Motorway will be linked with GT Road at Morr Eminabad, it was learnt. Earlier, the chief minister met with PTI leader Hamid Nasir Chattha and discussed development agenda of the government.

He also held meetings with different delegations including PML-N MPA Ashraf Ansari and Younis Ansari and assured of resolving problems of the city. The chief minister announced Rs7.2 billion development package for Hafizabad during his visit to the district Wednesday.

Meanwhile, land has been transferred for DHQ hospital and the University of Hafizabad projects. On his directions, the Hafizabad University Act will be presented before the cabinet meeting, said a handout. The CM also held meetings with parliamentarians and people from different walks of life at the district complex.

The CM also visited the integrated command and control room in the DPO office. He was briefed about police vehicles tracking system and CCTV surveillance. The CM appreciated that technology was helping to improve the surveillance system, adding that IT was also helping to improve the performance of the police department.

The integrated command and control system would be made further effective and useful, he added. Talking to media, the chief minister said the package had been announced for the district, adding that Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced to establish University of Hafizabad and DHQ hospital.

Hafizabad-Sukheki Road, Kot Hara-Jalalpur Bhatian, Chowk Sukheki-Jalalpur Bhattian Road would be restored at an amount of Rs3.98 billion, he said, adding, 20 other projects would be launched along with 10 roads rehabilitation schemes to be completed with an amount of Rs 3.35 billion in the district.

Similarly, girls’ college would be constructed in Kolo Tarar along with the completion of a number of projects of beautification and supply and drainage of water.

Meanwhile, the CM said Rs7 billion development package had been announced for Ramazan and best arrangements had been made in Ramazan bazaars. would also be upgraded in the Hafizabad district, the CM said in response to another question. Senator Ijaz Chaudhry, SACM Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, parliamentarians, commissioners, RPOs and others were present.