Maryam wants PRA revenue up by Rs50bn

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) to increase the revenue by Rs50 billion without affecting the common man.

“Increase resources for maximum social welfare projects,” she said in a meeting with PRA Chairman Nauman Yusuf to discuss issues related to the authority here on Saturday. She directed the authorities concerned to expand the PRA scope to 12 more districts of Punjab, Murree, Attock, Jhelum, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Mandi Bahauddin, Bahawalpur, Okara, Khanewal, Muzaffargarh, DG Khan and Toba Tek Singh. She directed them to link the PRA with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for the real-time integration of database.

Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Secretary Finance Mujahid Sher Dil and other officers also attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, Maryam’s vision for the elimination of smog and hazardous impacts of climate change has been transformed into Punjab’s maiden grand plan. The Punjab Climate Change Policy & Action Plan 2024 has been given a final shape. It has been decided to submit it to the cabinet for approval.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb on Saturday chaired a meeting in this regard. The secretary Environment & Climate Change presented the proposed manuscript in the meeting and gave a briefing. Marriyum lauded the manuscript quality and the team for making dedicated efforts for its preparation. She said the manuscript be sent to all stakeholders. It was decided in the meeting to expedite the Plant for Pakistan campaign, making green investment in the affected sectors along with incorporating Climate Change Education in the educational curriculum.

A proposal to conserve and utilise rainwater in government buildings along with launching this experimental program in various districts was reviewed in the meeting. A proposal to establish the Water Quality Monitoring System to assess the quality of water along with introducing laws to control underground water was also reviewed. A proposal to introduce latest methods in the irrigation system for water conservation along with establishing small dams in Potohar and Rohi areas was unanimously agreed. A proposal to launch the Special Management Plan to save South Punjab from famine was reviewed. A proposal to grant climate-friendly interest-free loans to small scale businesspersons was put forth.

The secretary Environment apprised that the motive behind undertaking such formidable steps was to generate better capability to cope up with hazardous climate change effects. He said the climate change was not only increasing the earth temperature but intensity of heat as well. The destructive effects of climate change are coming to surface in the shape of frequent occurrence of floods, famine and forest fires. Punjab is emitting approximately 95,000 kilo tonnes of green house gases and 7 thousand 17 kilo tonnes injurious gases. High temperature hot spots persist in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Mianwali, DG Khan, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Sargodha, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur and Multan.

Marriyum said: “Climate change is a global issue which pertains to human life and death. The climate change effects are causing a colossal loss to global climate and destruction to human lives. Maryam Nawaz’s vision is to save human and animal lives. Besides undertaking concrete steps, awareness needs to be imparted to all segments of people about the importance of planting trees to save the climate from toxic effects of injurious and poisonous gases.”

Secretary Environment & Climate Change Raja Jahangir Anwar, CEO Urban Unit Omer Masood, climate socialists and other officials attended the meeting.