Maryam orders establishing PHAs across Punjab

LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed authorities concerned to establish parks and horticulture authorities in every city to enhance beautification efforts.

She issued these instructions on Thursday while chairing a meeting with assembly members from Sahiwal division. The chief minister also directed restoration of traditional fairs (melas) across Punjab, emphasizing that “administrations in every city should encourage and facilitate local fairs.”

She instructed the IGP to establish the Dolphin Force in every city and urged the authorities to operationalise the cardiology block in Sahiwal as soon as possible while addressing the shortage of faculty at the Sahiwal Medical College.

Maryam further called for a comprehensive plan to promote religious tourism in Pakpattan. She instructed officials to expedite the construction, repair and decoration of Baba Farid Ganj Shakar’s shrine and improve law and order in Sahiwal division. The chief minister reviewed a plan for archaeological conservation and tourist facilitation in Harappa, directed the establishment of model agri-malls in Sahiwal and Okara.

The chief minister stressed, “I swear under oath that no one has been appointed in the province based on recommendations. All postings in Punjab are done on merit.”

For the first time in Punjab, she announced the creation of a new department dedicated to price control. She also mentioned that Punjab was the only province where bread is available for Rs12, 13 and 14, and acknowledged challenges in creating KPI-based scorecards for deputy commissioners. These scorecards, she explained, include factors to ensure public convenience.

The chief minister also announced the launch of an agricultural graduate internship programme to advise farmers on best practices. She revealed plans to increase housing units under the ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar Programme,’ targeting the construction of over 500,000 houses.

She confirmed that the installment for this programme would remain at Rs14,000 and that private hospitals and surgeons have been included in the children’s heart surgery card initiative. Additionally, Rs15,000 will be provided every four months to disabled persons through the Himat Card, and minority cards will be issued for widows and poor minority communities.

The chief minister also announced a reduction in transport fares, citing falling oil prices. She shared that 600 roads across Punjab are being restored, with visible improvements in the coming months.

In a six-and-a-half-hour review meeting at the Planning and Development Board, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz made important decisions regarding education, health, agriculture, livestock and infrastructure development across Punjab. She launched the ‘Suthra Punjab’ sanitation programme, the largest in Pakistan’s history, which will be implemented in 100 tehsils by October 15. The programme will expand to 34 more tehsils by mid-November.

The meeting also approved the Chief Minister Fund for Solar Panel Production, with solar panels set to be distributed starting November. Additionally, the chief minister directed the completion of Pakistan’s first official autism school in Lahore within a year.