New law to be made on commercial projects master plan

LAHORE: Provincial Local Government Minister and Convener Zeeshan Rafique said that that commercialisation of agricultural land without planning is a threat to the environment. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz wanted a solid and long-lasting policy to be made in consultation with all stakeholders for making policy for economic use of agriculture land.

Zeeshan Rafique said this while presiding over the meeting of the special committee formed by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz at the Civil Secretariat here on Monday.

Agriculture Minister and Co-Convener Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, Secretary LG Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Secretary Law Asif Bilal Lodhi, Special Secretary Local Government Asia Gul and representatives of real estate business association also participated in the meeting.

During the meeting, the proposals to regularise the unnecessary commercial use of agricultural land were considered in length. Representatives of real estate association shared their views before the committee.

Addressing the meeting, Zeeshan Rafique said that it is necessary to regularise residential projects without approval. “A new law will be made to monitor the master plan of commercial projects. Under the proposed law, all matters will be monitored from a single platform”, he said.

The real estate representatives agreed to the committee’s agenda and assured their cooperation, however they requested that there should be further consultation before taking a final decision.

LG minister said that the employment of many people is directly or indirectly attached to the real estate business. “So it is equally important to safeguard investors’ capital”, he figured out. He further said that non-regularisation of illegal schemes harms public interest and invites uncertainty. “Actions in this regard will be ensured and suggestions from the real estate sector will also be taken into consideration”, he pledged. On this occasion, provincial agriculture minister said that due to involvement of multiple government agencies’ created complications for both buyers and sellers. He said that the aim of the Punjab government is to ensure the protection of the interests of the people under single authority.

He said that the practice of building high-rise buildings on a small area should be promoted so that the need of a large population can be met in a minimum use of land. He also said that it is important to take early steps for food security. “That is why the Punjab CM formed this committee”, he added.

Meanwhile, on the instructions from Punjab CM, LG Minister Zeeshan Rafique visited Islampura area of provincial capital. He inspected ongoing development schemes at Union Council 73, Dataganj Bakhsh Town. Deputy Commissioner Lahore Rafia Haider, Chief Officer Metropolitan Corporation Lahore Ali Abbas Bukhari, Assistant Commissioner City Rai Babar and MO Infrastructure Mian Saqib were also present. Administrator MCL/Deputy Commissioner Lahore gave a briefing to the provincial minister.

The LG minister directed the DC Lahore to complete the sewerage work before the rainy season. He stressed that the instructions of the Punjab CM to pay special attention to the backward areas should be taken into account while making the schemes. He said that after the completion of the revamping plan, broken streets and drains will not be seen in provincial capital.

The LG minister also directed that there should be no compromise on the quality and speed of the development work. He directed the Chief Officer Ali Abbas Bukhari to monitor all the work himself.