Punjab, KP CMs agree to enhance bilateral cooperation

LAHORE: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mehmood Khan called on Chief Minister Usman Buzdar at Punjab House, Islamabad and matters of mutual interest, general political situation and development strategy were discussed in the meeting.

Both chief ministers agreed on the enhancement of bilateral cooperation and partnership between Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in various fields. CM Usman Buzdar said the people of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have strong bond of love and both provincial governments are working on the policy of cooperation for the welfare of the people of both provinces. He said the Punjab Food Authority can provide services to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the supply of pure food and the public service delivery can be improved through cooperation in the IT sector.

He said the public service is ‘our joint resolve and we will prove that we have done work’. Trade activities can be increased by improving road network. He said Punjab is working with the support of the private sector to introduce new tourism locations. We will make a tourism spot at 800-feet height at Koh-e-Sulayman and proposals are being reviewed to make tourism point in the river area of Bhakkar. He said joint efforts will be made to control movement of suspicious and criminal elements at the border areas and various aspects are being reviewed to decide on the construction of a motorway from Punjab to Sindh through Dera Ghazi Khan. Various roads projects will be constructed in Punjab through public-private partnership. The chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa invited CM Usman Buzdar to visit Peshawar. He said he will visit Peshawar soon. The KPK CM said the PTI has come to power in Punjab for the first time that is a good signal. We are striving to do historic services to the people. KPK CM Mehmood Khan also expressed condolences over the death of the father of CM

Usman Buzdar. He also offered Fateha for the soul of Sardar Fateh Muhammad Khan Buzdar. He said late Sardar Fateha Buzdar has rendered services in social, welfare and political sectors. Punjab Minister Samiullah Ch, Hafiz Mumtaz Ahmed, KPK adviser Ajmal Wazir, parliamentarians Riaz Khan, Pir Musawwar, Syed Fakhar Jehan and others were also present.

CM greets Sikh Yatrees: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has returned to Lahore from Islamabad on Saturday. He had gone to Rawalpindi on Friday through a train where he laid foundation stone of Govt Post Graduate College for Women, Railway Road and up-gradation of the Satellite Town Post Graduate College to a woman university.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has congratulated Sikh community on the Baisakhi festival. In his message, he said Baisakhi is event of joyousness for Sikh community and this event reflects culture of Sikhs. He said service to Sikh community on Baisakhi is ‘our moral, religious and constitutional responsibility, and we will provide peaceful environment to the Sikh community on Baisakhi’. Attention is being paid on the look after of religious places of Sikhs and their beautification. He said brotherhood and solidarity are promoted by taking part in the festivals of each other. We share joys of Sikhs on Baisakhi. Usman Buzdar said ‘we welcome Sikh community on Baisakhi celebrations in Punjab and we share their felicitations’. All-out facilities will be provided to Sikhs on Baisakhi and we take pleasure in providing services to Sikhs. He said the constitution of Pakistan gives equal rights to all minorities and new Pakistan is running on principles of tolerance, brotherhood and harmony. He said the government under PM Imran Khan has taken serious measures to open Kartarpur Corridor. He said the PTI believes in religious harmony and freedom, and Sikh visitors will bring message of love and brotherhood with them.

APP adds: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Saturday sought report within seven days from Punjab Food Minister and Punjab Food Authority DG on hardships being faced by small traders of southern Punjab in depositing amount of fine at Punjab Food Authority office in Lahore.

The action was taken following the briefing and application by member of Chief Minister Task Force on Foods and Pesticides Dr Waseem Hassan Langrial to the Chief Minister on the issue faced by hundreds of small traders of Multan, Bahawalpur and DG Khan Divisions of southern Punjab.

Talking to the media on the occasion, Dr Waseem Hassan Langrial said the PTI government believes in resolving the issues of people and providing them facilities on their doorsteps. He said the CM has directed the authorities concerned to provide local facility of fine deposit for traders of southern Punjab, which is a gift PTI government for the people of the area.