CM GRIEVED AT DEATH OF FATHER OF ADVOCATE GENERAL PUNJAB AHMED JAMAL SUKHERA

Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has expressed grief and sorrow over the death of the father of Advocate General Punjab Ahmed Jamal Sukhera and Federal Secretary Commerce Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera. In his condolence message, he prayed that Allah Almighty rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family.

• 27th, April 2019

CM ATTENDS FUNERAL OF PIR SUFI NAZAR HUSSAIN IN BASTI BUZDAR

Renowned spiritual personality of Taunsa Sharif Pir Sufi Nazar Hussain has passed away. Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar attended his funeral prayers in Basti Buzdar. Pir Sufi Nazar Hussain was ill for the last some time. A large number of the followers of the late Sufi Nazar Hussain attended his funeral prayers. CM Usman Buzdar said the vacuum created by the late Pir Sufi Nazar Hussain will not be filled for the long time.

• 27th, April 2019

CS ORDERS EARLY COMPLETION OF ORANGE TRAIN COMMITTEE FORMED TO PRESENT RECOMMENDATIONS TO CM

Chief Secretary Punjab Yousaf  Naseem Khokhar, on Saturday, presides over a high-level meeting to review pace of work on the Lahore Orange Line train project. Important decisions were taken in the meeting to ensure early completion of the project. Chairman Planning and Development, Secretary Transport, Secretary Finance, Director General of Lahore Development Authority, Managing Director NESPAK and officers of Punjab Metro Authority attended the meeting.             Speaking at the meeting, the Chief Secretary stressed that as per direction of Punjab Chief Minister Orange Line Train project be completed at the earliest in the larger public interest. During the briefing, he directed that maximum facilities be provided to people and determination of fare of the train be done on scientific lines by hiring services of experts so that passengers could be given traveling facility at affordable cost without any burden on exchequer.             In the past, a comprehensive strategy was not adopted for determining fares, rather decisions were made on political basis due to which this facility could not be sustainable.             All necessary facilities would be provided at stations of Orange Line train and as many as 245,000 commuters would travel through this train daily. A comparative review of facilities and fare of Orange Line train with international standards was presented in the meeting.             The Chief Secretary also constituted a committee comprising Chairman Planning and Development, Secretary Finance, Secretary Transport and MD NESPAK to review all these matters and present its recommendations to the Chief Minister Punjab.

• 27th, April 2019

CM VISITS THREE CITIES OF SOUTH PUNJAB IN A DAY

After presiding over a meeting on the Ramzan package in the Lahore in the morning, Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar left for the cities of South Punjab including Multan, DG Khan and Taunsa Sharif. In Multan, he laid the foundation stone of Nishtar-II Hospital. Later he left for Dera Ghazi Khan where he addressed the convocation of Ghazi Medical College. He inaugurated Balochi program of Radio Pakistan Multan “Rawish” and he recorded his message in Balochi language. Afterword, he left for Taunsa Sharif where he laid the foundation stone of development projects worth 1.65 billion rupees. He distributed financial help cheques among the 133 victims of fire at the Fauji Parrao market. He also distributed cheques of Rs. Eight lakh each among the families of two people who have died in rain storm. He gave cheque for Rs. 40 thousand to an injured person. He also gave financial help cheque to the 13 victims of the tractor-trolley accident in Zinda Pir. Afterward, the Chief Minister attended the funeral prayer of renowned spiritual personality of Taunsa, Pir Sufi Nazar Hussain, at Basti Buzdar.    

• 27th, April 2019

CM SEEKS REPORT FROM IGP ON MURDER OF SIX PERSON IN RAJANPUR  

Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has sought a report from IGP Punjab on the murder of six persons in Rajanpur over the motorcycle conflict. He ordered strict legal action against the accused involved in this incident. The Chief Minister said accused should be arrested immediately and justice be provided to the victim family.

• 27th, April 2019

ZAHID HUSSAIN AWAN (PMS (EX-PSS)/BS-19) TAKES CHARGE OF YHE POST OF DIRECTOR GENERAL, OVERSEAS PAKISTANIS COMMISSION (OPC) PUNJANB

Zahid Hussain Awan (PMS (ex-PSS)/BS-19) has assumed the charge of the post of Director General, Overseas Pakistanis Commission (OPC) Punjab. Zahid Hussain is among the honest and hardworking bureaucrats Punjab Government has produced. After completing his Masters in English, Zahid Hussain joined Civil Services. He has served on various significant posts such as Deputy Secretary to Chief Minister Punjab, Additional Secretary to Governor Punjab, Additional Secretary Housing, Additional Secretary Youth Affairs, Sports, Archeology and Tourism. All the officers and staff members of Overseas Pakistanis Commission (OPC) Punjab have extended their good wishes to newly appointed Director General.

• 26th, April 2019

PILOT PROJECT OF LOW-COST HOUSES WILL BE STARTED IN VILLAGES—USMAN BUZDAR

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar presided over a meeting of Punjab Housing Taskforce at his office here on Friday to review the progress made on Prime Minister’s Naya Pakistan Housing Program. Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that low-cost houses will be constructed in different districts of the province under Prime Minister’s Naya Pakistan Housing Program. It is a revolutionary project of the PTI government and keeping in view its importance, the Prime Minister’s Naya Pakistan Housing Program would be moved forward speedily. He said that six sub-committees have been constituted under Punjab Housing Taskforce. The pilot project of low-cost houses will be started in villages and its scope will be gradually extended to the 36 districts. He said that construction of houses will be started under Prime Minister’s Naya Pakistan Housing Program in other districts after Renala Khurd, Chishtian and Lodhran. The Punjab Housing Taskforce will be given seed-money, he said. The Chief Minister directed to forward the case to the cabinet committee on finance and development and added that approval of by-laws will soon be taken from the cabinet. He said that the capacity of Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency will be enhanced. Usman Buzdar said that Naya Pakistan Housing Program will create ample opportunities for employment and the dream of providing shelter to the low-income families will also be fulfilled. He assured to provide every-possible cooperation for speedy implementation on Naya Pakistan Housing Program. He said the low-income housing project for the villages is a unique initiative which will increase economic activities in the rural areas. He also directed to start work on this project at the earliest. General Secretary Punjab Housing Taskforce gave a briefing about the progress made on Naya Pakistan Housing Program. Provincial Minister Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed, Secretary Housing, Vice Chairman LDA, DG Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency, Additional Secretary (Welfare), President Builders Association and others attended the meeting.

• 26th, April 2019

SPEAKER NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CALLS ON PUNJAB CHIEF MINISTER

Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser called on Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar at his the office here on Friday. During the meeting, various matters of mutual interest including wheat procurement campaign and the steps taken for overcoming the damages caused to the crops due to recent rains and hailstorm came under discussion. The Chief Minister assured to give relief to the farmers to compensate for the damages caused to the crops and added that the survey is being done to assess such damages in the province. The Board of Revenue and PDMA have been issued instructions in this regard, he said. He said that the farmers will be compensated after the survey report and every possible step will be taken. The PTI government will not let the interests of the farmers damaged, he said. He said that the government has complete sympathies with the farmers and it is standing with them. The Chief Minister said that farmers will be given a full reward of their hard work during the wheat procurement campaign and every grain of wheat will be purchased from them. He said that Rs. 130 billion have been allocated during the current season for the purchase of wheat and wheat procurement target will be increased if needed. I am with the farmers and they will live an honorable life in the new Pakistan, the Chief Minister concluded. Asad Qaiser thanked the Chief Minister for initiating different steps including conduction of survey for assessing the damages of the farmers. Punjab government has also made best arrangements of wheat procurement and the interests of the farmers would be protected due to the steps taken by Punjab government, he added.

• 26th, April 2019

CM HOLDS MEETING TO REVIEW ARRANGEMENTS WITH REGARD TO RAMZAN PACKAGE 2019

Punjab government has decided the strict monitoring of Ramzan Bazaars during the holy month of Ramzan and the Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has directed to depute provincial ministers, advisors, special assistants and secretaries for the monitoring of Ramzan Bazaars. Chief Minister will also visit Ramzan Bazaars to monitor the arrangements. He has also directed the line departments to take effective measures to stabilize the prices of essential items and added that indiscriminate action should be continued against the hoarders and illegal profiteers. Every department should perform its duty in the best of manner, he added. Enough meetings have been held and now work has to be done to give a genuine relief to the people. He said that line departments should decide and act against those responsible for creating artificial price-hike. Time should not be wasted in meetings and people should be given relief on-the-spot, he added. He said that agriculture, industries and food departments will have to take a lead in the Ramzan ul Mubarak adding that jail is the best place for those who loot people in the name of price-hike. The Chief Minister reiterated that he will go to every extent to give relief to the general public and made it clear that unjustified increase in sugar price will not be tolerated. Punjab government will make every possible step to stabilize the price of sugar, he said. Usman Buzdar said that provision of maximum relief to the people is the agenda of the government and interest of the people is very dear to him. No one will be allowed to follow whims and wishes and every option should be used to stop an illogical increase in the price of sugar. The food, industry and agriculture departments should take coordinated steps for strengthening the rates of sugar. He said that every possible step will be taken to provide relief to the people without caring for anyone. The Chief Minister directed to set up control rooms at provincial, divisional and district level for the monitoring of arrangements made for Ramzan Bazaars. He issued these directions during a high-level meeting at his office here on Friday in which the steps taken for providing relief to the people under Ramzan Package, 2019 and the prices of essential items were reviewed. Secretary Industry gave a detailed briefing about the steps taken under Ramzan Package. Provincial ministers Aslam Iqbal, Samiullah Ch., Sardar Hasnain Bahadur Dareshak, Nauman Ahmed Langhrial, advisor to CM Akram Ch., IG Police, spokesman to CM, Commissioner Lahore Division and secretaries attended the meeting while divisional commissioners participated through video link from their respective divisions.            

• 26th, April 2019

A talk by an eminent art critic, artist and art educator Quddus Mirza was organized by Lahore Arts Council at Alhamra Art Gallery, Lahore. Talk was titled as “Talk on Art”, mainly this talk was for the young artists of Pakistan to educate them about the different aspects of this field. During the talk Quddus Mirza informed students about the ways of how an artist should take his/her career forward. Young artists from different areas came to attend this talk and many artists asked questions from the speaker which were answered in detail and were satisfactory. In the session, Quddus Mirza discussed about the work which was display in the young artists’ exhibition and informed the artists about the national and international criterion and concepts of the field.           Executive Director, Ather Ali Khan said that the Lahore Arts Council is always keen to educate and provide opportunities to the young and emerging artists of Pakistan. Your young generation is the future of Pakistan’s progress and development for which capacity building of our artists is very integral part of our society. Artists of a country play a significant role in uplifting the culture and aesthetical side of the nation. Alhamra is planning to organize more talks and educational workshops for the artists.           The purpose of this exhibition was to provide guidance to the participants of Annual Young Artists’s exhibition in which 362 artists participated from all over Pakistan. The talk ended with high spirit and was motivational for young artists. The Lahore Arts Council will be hopefully organizing its 16th Annual Young Artists’ Exhibition in 2020 with more zeal and enthusiasm.

• 26th, April 2019

PA COMMITTEE BACKS PFA TO HAVE STRONGER LAW: RAJA BASHARAT

   Provincial Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Local Government (LG) Raja Basharat has said that the Punjab Assembly (PA) would firmly stand behind Punjab Food Authority (PFA) to bridge up any legal flaw envisaged to create hurdles in its functions. He was presiding over the meeting of PA Parliamentary Committee No.4 for Food Department as its convener on Friday.           The meeting was also attended by the Members of PA Abdul Aleem Khan, Malik Nadim Kamran, Sajid Bhatti and Ms. Zainab Umair, DG PFA, Additional Secretary Food and other officers. Raja Basharat assured that the Committee would recommend any amendment in the PFA Law if suggested by its authorities. He said “PTI government has prioritized the health of its people for which pure food is an essential item. It is need of the day that PFA should establish test laboratories in accordance with the international standards so that adulterated and contaminated food items may be detected effectively while it will help to improve the standard and quality of food items available in open market. Healthy food is vital for healthy nation so any legislation could help, would be made by the parliamentarians.” Raja Basharat also desired that the recruitment method of head and technical staff of PFA should be clear, transparent, merit based and well defined so that the accountability of those might be ensured who play with the health of citizens in form of impure food. “Punjab Government under leadership of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar is committed to take all measures needed in order to provide the best services and amenities to its public.” He added. The other members of the Committee also gave suggestions to improve the efficiency of PFA and Food Department.

• 26th, April 2019

CM TO VISIT MULTAN AND DG KHAN TOMORROW

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar will visit Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan tomorrow (April 27). He will lay the foundation stone of Nishtar Hospital Phase-II project in Multan besides attending the convocation of Ghazi Medical College in DG Khan where he will distribute degrees and medals among the students along with delivering a key-note address as the chief guest.

• 26th, April 2019

CM TO VISIT MULTAN AND DG KHAN TOMORROW

 Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar will visit Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan tomorrow (April 27). He will lay the foundation stone of Nishtar Hospital Phase-II project in Multan besides attending the convocation of Ghazi Medical College in DG Khan where he will distribute degrees and medals among the students along with delivering a key-note address as the chief guest.

• 26th, April 2019

Provincial Minister for Information and Culture Syed Samsam Ali Bukhari has strongly condemned the bad behavior displayed by PML-N workers on presenting the bill of a new local government system. He said that PML-N assembly members tried to insult the speaker.           These views were expressed by him while addressing a press conference at DGPR Office today. The Minister said that PML-N leadership has not given moral training to their members. Hue and cry in the assembly is a fruitless effort to divert the attention of the people on the allegations of corruption against their leaders. He said that selection of words and attitude of PML-N members does not suit to any parliamentarian and that is the reason that Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari has suspended Uzma Bukhari, Ashraf Rasool and Mian Abdul Rauf for the current session. He said that bill of the new local system was passed by the committee for the approval of Punjab Assembly which also included PML-N representatives. In response to a question, he said that there is no chance of a change of Chief Minister Punjab or his cabinet members. He said that PTI, by presenting a bill of the new local system in the assembly, has fulfilled its promise made with the people of the province. He said that opposition is trying to sabotage the session; however, their efforts will not be succeeded. He said that PTI wants to carry along the accountability process and the respect of the assembly. Process of accountability against corrupt elements will be continued as people gave this mandate to the PTI’s government. Front-men of political leaders involved in corruption are being caught which revealed nameless accounts and money laundering of billions of rupees.           Earlier, while addressing the ceremony organized in Lahore High Court Bar in connection with 23rd foundation day of PTI, Samsam Bukhari said that all the party leaders are on the one page. There is no difference between Governor, Chief Minister or Speaker. He said that rumors regarding change of CM are being spread by a group of selected people for their narrow interests. Prime Minister Imran Khan has complete confidence on Chief Minister Usman Buzdar. He said that 23 years ago Imran Khan started is political struggle lonely.

• 26th, April 2019

 Provincial Minister for Trade and Industry Mian Aslam Iqbal has said that zero tolerance policy has been adopted by the PTI government against corruption.  He said that government is determined to curb the menace of corruption. He said that there is 23 years old unprecedented political struggle behind the party.           This was stated by him while talking to a delegation of party workers in camp office today. The Minister while congratulating them on the foundation day of the party and said that PTI has only come deep-rooted and strongest political force of the country. He said that PTI is representing the sentiments of people in true sense. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, Pakistan is making progress by leaps and bounds and the time is not far away when Pakistan will come out from the crisis.    

• 25th, April 2019