Maryam pledges grant for welfare of lawyers

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met a delegation of apex bodies of bar councils on Saturday. Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazir Tarar and Ahsan Bhoon were also present.

The CM announced an increase in the grant for well-being of lawyers to one billion rupees. She also announced plans to establish a specific hall for women lawyers and a daycare centre in the bar councils.

Upon being informed about the murder of two lawyers in Attock, she expressed deep sorrow and grief and condoled with the office-bearers of bar councils. She directed that accused be tried in a special court. “The responsibility rests with the government to ensure the protection of the lawyers’ community.” The CM accepted the invitation to visit the Punjab Bar Council and expressed her willingness to visit Bahawalpur and Multan bar councils as well.

The chief minister awarded grant cheques of five crore rupees to the Punjab Bar Council and one crore rupees each to the Bahawalpur and Multan High Court bar councils. It was agreed to restore treatment facilities for the lawyers’ community in government hospitals.

Maryam said the struggle of the lawyers community for the supremacy of rule of law is praiseworthy. “We will extend complete assistance in upholding the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice for common man. The government will continue to fulfil its administrative responsibilities to enhance the performance of judicial system and ensure timely provision of justice.”

Matters about strengthening the partnership between the government and the lawyers community were discussed in the meeting. She assured the bar councils delegation of the government’s cooperation in resolving the problems faced by the lawyers’ community. The chief minister lauded the endeavours of the lawyers’ community for advancing the collective aim of establishing a judicious and effective legal system.

The bar council office-bearers expressed their profound gratitude to Maryam Nawaz for her assurance of complete cooperation and financial assistance.

Meanwhile, Maryam Nawaz convened a meeting on a holiday and directed the administration to provide relief to public by reducing transport fares. She expressed her indignation over the non-reduction of transport fares despite a 35-rupee reduction in petroleum prices. She directed the transport ministry and police to launch an operation to ensure an immediate reduction in transport fares. She also directed the Complaints and Inspection Commission to take prompt measures in this regard.

The chief minister directed officials to maintain the prices of bread, transport fares and other edibles at official rates, emphasizing that no negligence would be tolerated. She also issued immediate instructions for timely cleaning of animal waste and provision of sheds to protect animals from sunlight in cattle markets. Maryam also directed availability of doctors, water, and other essential facilities in cattle markets.

The CM directed measures to appoint lifeguards to save lives in canals and formulate an effective traffic plan to prevent traffic bottlenecks. She took notice of a severe traffic jam at Thokar Niaz Baig on Friday, expressing her indignation and directing that such situations be avoided in the future. The chief minister directed strict measures to ensure law and order across the province. Addressing the meeting participants, she said, “I will personally oversee the situation during the Eid holidays.”