Repairing official vehicle a routine task: Azma

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Information Azma Bukhari said that repairing an official vehicle is a routine task and attributing it to the chief minister was shameful.

She said this while responding to news circulating in media that the Punjab CM had sought Rs2.73 million for the replacement of tyres of the Punjab CM’s bulletproof vehicle. The tyres of the Mercedes are changed after 10,000 kms whereas those of the CM’s vehicle have run for 29,000 kms. One of the Mercedes tyres had cracked and needed an immediate replacement, Azma Bukhari said.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed compilation of data on labourers and workers across Punjab. Chairing a special meeting on workers’ safety in the province here, she said safety measures would be implemented to protect workers in factories. She directed the start of Occupational Safety and Health Mobile Lab Project and enacting effective legislation for the protection of motorcyclist youth employed by rider services.

Earlier, she was briefed about a proposal to issue labour cards to daily wagers to provide them with social security benefits. A labour complex and labour colonies would be built in the Quaid-i-Azam Business Park Sheikhupura and Rawalpindi where 1,400 labourers and 800 labourers’ families would be accommodated. The chief minister directed expediting the completion of labour colonies in Sunder and Taxila.

While chairing a meeting, it was decided to reconstitute the School Education Council and the chief minister approved the restructuring of Punjab Curriculum Wing. She also sought a comprehensive plan to transfer Punjab schools to solar energy. A comprehensive briefing was given to introduce reforms to school education.

The chief minister chaired a meeting and set a six-month deadline for the construction and repair of big and connecting roads in Punjab. She directed the launching of construction project of five expressways under a public-private partnership. Maryam was informed that 811 roads would be constructed and repaired across Punjab. For the first in the history of Punjab, the construction and repair of 16,558 kms of roads will be undertaken simultaneously.

While chairing a special meeting on relaunching the health insurance scheme, she announced sustainably launching the Health Card and directed presenting a workable plan in this regard within three months.