CM asks depts to carry out procurements

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has directed all departments to carry out procurements themselves but properly notify the process.

This he said while presiding over a meeting on Road Transport Board (RTB) at the Chief Minister’s House, says an official statement. District Nazim Muhammad Asim Khan, Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary Mohammad Israr Khan, Secretary Finance Shakeel Qadir, Secretary Transport Kamran Khan, secretary law and others attended the meeting. Mahmood Khan agreed to a proposal that part of the total RTB funds amounting to Rs230 million should be used for the reconstruction and renovation of bus terminals and the rest can be utilised for its commercial activities through Finance Department.

The meeting was informed about the situation of different bus terminals and transport in the province. The chief minister directed authorities to improve the current condition of all bus terminals and put the system of transportation in the province on modern lines. The meeting was also informed about the plan for Greater Circular Peshawar Project as the Transport Department had already signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Chinese Company CRCC.

The Greater Circular Peshawar, a road communication project, includes Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera districts in the first phase and Swabi and Malakand district will be completed in the Phase-II. Meanwhile, the chief minister said the provincial government had planned infrastructure development in the seven newly merged tribal districts. This he said while talking to the head of DFID Joanna Reid.

He said the government would try to provide all facilities to residents of the tribal districts to remove their sense of deprivation. The chief minister said the areas have diversified potential for investment in different sectors and called upon the donors for the scientific exploitation of the resources available there.

Minister for Finance Taimur Saleem Jhagra, chief minister’s special assistant Ziaullah Bangash, Additional Chief Secretary Shehzad Bangash, CM’s principal secretary Muhammad Israr, head of SSU Sahibzada Saeed and others were also present on the occasion. He said that after the merger and improved law & order situation, the overall situation had become suitable for investment, that’s why the foreign investors were flooding these areas. The chief minister said that an advisory committee comprising elected members has been formed to involve people in the overall developmental process.

He informed foreign dignitaries about the plan for the erstwhile Fata and indicated the areas for investment both in infrastructure and other sectors. Joanna Reid praised the efforts for the restoration of law and order and took a keen interest in the overall development of the newly merged districts.Also, the chief minister presided over a meeting to discuss matters related to the Swat Kidney Hospital.

He directed authorities concerned to solve the problems of the health facility. He agreed to approve Rs68 million for the project and directed authorities to acquire land and settle down other issues.

The chief minister also met a delegation of hunter association of cranes (birds), south region, and assured to solve the association.The delegation requested the chief minister to lift the ban on hunting.

The chief minister assured to talk to the quarters concerned over the issue. He also mentioned a number of development schemes to be launched in southern districts in the days to come.