Speedo bus network to be expanded to other cities: Shahbaz

Says Punjab Safe City project being launched in six cities;

approves Khidmat Markaz 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.

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. The CM paid rich tributes to great sacrifice of Lance Naik Shamshad in the blast on Bedian Road.