Provincial Financial Commission award functional: CM Usman Buzdar

LAHORE:Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has said that interim Provincial Financial Commission award 2017 is functional while the Punjab cabinet has given approval to the constitution of a commission under the Punjab Local Government Act 2019.

The commission would be notified soon, he added. A total of 455 local governments would be set up in Punjab, the chief minister said presiding over a meeting at his office here on Friday. The meeting discussed in detail different matters including the establishment of industrial estates and special economic zones, progress on the annual development programme, provincial finance commission and Prime Minister’s Kamyab Naujawan Programme. The meeting also pondered over development schemes for national and provincial constituencies.

Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that Rs187 billion had been released by January 22 under the ADP. Over Rs107 billion have been spent while Rs42 billion have been allocated for public-private partnership-based projects.

A proposal of setting up of a public-private partnership infrastructure fund is also under consideration. Similarly, out of the reserved amount of Rs62 billion, Rs42 billion has been released for development of southern Punjab, he added. The chief minister said a ban had been imposed on the transfer of funds reserved for the development of backward areas to other localities or projects. Departments have also been instructed to expedite the pace of work on ADP schemes. Timely utilisation of released funds will be ensured and 17 places have been identified for accelerating the industrial process in the province and a strategy is being devised for their development. Meanwhile, he added that the Quaid-e-Azam Apparel Park project would be inaugurated in March. The special economic zones would enhance employment opportunities through new investment, he added.

CS, IG: Chief Secretary Maj. (retd.) Azam Suleman Khan and IG Police Shoaib Dastagir called on Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar at CM Office on Friday.

The Principal Secretary to CM was also present. Matters regarding administrative affairs, measures taken for providing relief, and law and order situation of the province came under discussion. Usman Buzdar said that both police and administration were his teams and they have to move ahead for the progress and development of the province collectively.

Special Assistant: Special Assistant to PM on Youth Affairs Usman Dar called on Chief Minister Usman Buzdar at CM Office today.

Matters regarding providing loans to the youth of the province under Prime Minister’s Kamyaab Naujawan programme were discussed during the meeting. Usman Buzdar said that youth is our asset and the PTI government was implementing a comprehensive programme for their development. He said that youths have to take the country ahead.