Speedo bus network to be expanded to other cities: CM

Says Punjab Safe City project being launched
in six cities; approves Khidmat Markiz in all districts

LAHORE

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif chaired a meeting on Tuesday in which various proposals for plying Speedo buses in big cities of Punjab were reviewed. 

Addressing the meeting, the CM said quality, comfortable and affordable air-conditioned transport is right of every citizen and the Punjab government has ensured this right by providing Metro bus service. 

He said now thousands of people commute through Speedo buses and its network will now be expanded to other cities. He directed the authorities to take immediate measures to establish transport companies in big cities, adding the comfortable and good transport will be provided to people and this system will be outsourced.

Ministers Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Malik Nadeem Kamran, Sheikh Alla-ud-Din, Chief Secretary, MD Punjab Mass Transit Authority, secretaries concerned and senior officials attended the meeting while Chairman P&D, Commissioners of Multan and Bahawalpur Divisions participated in the meeting via video link.

The CM chaired another meeting in which establishment of Khidmat Marakaz in 36 districts of Punjab was approved. As many as 17 services will be provided under one roof in every Khidmat Markaz. Addressing the meeting, the CM said provision of better services and facilities is mission of Punjab government and establishment of Khidmat Marakiz is a vital step in this regard. 

He said Khidmat Marakaz have been set up in six districts while state-of-the-art Khidmat Marakaz in remaining districts will be made functional by the end of current year where people will be able to get 17 services under one roof.

He said establishment of Khidmat Marakaz is a brilliant decision of the Punjab government and problems of people will be resolved under one roof and they will not need to visit various offices for resolution of their problems. He said third party validation and financial audit of Khidmat Marakaz will also be carried out. He said an excellent Khidmat Markaz centre has been established in Faisalabad for which provincial minister, chief secretary, Chairman PITB and the whole team deserves appreciation.

He said model of Khidmat Markaz in Faisalabad should be replicated in other districts. He said Khidmat Marakaz are also functional in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sargodha, Sahiwal and Gujranwala apart from Faisalabad.

He said an awareness campaign should be launched to make people aware of Khidmat Marakaz. Shahbaz Sharif said that strict monitoring of Khidmat Marakaz will be carried out. 

The CM constituted a committee headed by chief secretary to present its report in one week on recommendations on new system of services, its monitoring system and other matters.

He said project management unit should also be constituted and necessary legislation is also being carried out for implementation of the programme. Draft of Right to Services Act 2017 is ready and it will be presented in the assembly for approval. Giving briefing to the meeting, Dr Umer Saif said an effective system has been made for applicants to know about the status of their applications submitted in Khidmat Marakaz. Ten Khidmat Marakaz have been set up throughout the province and six out of them are functional. 

Shahbaz Sharif said Punjab Safe City Project has been initiated to provide protection to people and this vital project is being launched in six big cities of the province including Lahore. He said that protection of life and property of the people is top priority of the government and benefitting from latest technology to improve public peace is need of the hour. He said Safe City project will make the cities secure and will play a vital role in elimination of criminals and terrorists, adding this project worth billions of rupees is being implemented in a professional manner. He said high standard should be ensured during completion of the project at Lahore. 

  The CM paid rich tributes to great sacrifice of Lance Naik Shamshad in the blast on Bedian Road. He expressed his heartfelt condolences and sympathies with the family of Lance Naik Shamshad and said those sacrificing their lives while performing their duties are the heroes of the nation and every Pakistani national is proud of them. He said sacrifices of those who laid down their lives during performance of duty will never go to waste.