Punjab Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif, has said that provincial government is fully aware of the problems of the people and trying to resolve issues like loadshedding, provision of generators at tubewells for the uninterrupted supply of drinking water. Special attention is also being paid to the installation of new tubewells on emergency basis in the areas facing water shortage.
Similarly, he said, arrangements have also been made for the supply of water through water tankers for meeting the daily needs of the people. He said that the government is endeavouring to evolve a comprehensive system for the smooth supply of water to the people of the provincial metropolis. He expressed his satisfaction over efforts being made for relief of the people's problems to an extent. He was presiding over a meeting regarding supply of water to the masses in his tent office at Minar-e-Pakistan Sunday. Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Provincial Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Special Assistants, Members National and Provincial Assembly, Commissioner and District Co-ordination Officer Lahore, heads of development authorities and senior officers attended the meeting.
Secretary Housing informed about the emergent measures taken for the supply of drinking water to the people and implementation of the decisions of the last meetings. Elected representatives informed the chief minister about availability of water in their respective constituencies. During the meeting, there was a power outage due to loadshedding and the Chief Minister and other participants made use of hand fans due to scorching heat. The Chief Minister while addressing the meeting said that provincial government is fully aware of the sufferings of the people due to power cuts and that is why he took decision to set up tent office at Minar-e-Pakistan to apprise himself of the problems and sentiments of the masses. He directed that the special committee set up under the chairmanship of Mian Marghoob Ahmad, MNA should look into the matters, including supply of water to the citizens and installation of generators at tubewells while the committee headed by Chaudhry Shahbaz Ahmad, MPA should take solid measures to address the complaints of the people.
The meeting was informed that complaint cells have been set up in the offices of sub-divisional officers of WASA to redress the grievances of the people regarding supply of water. The inquiry committee set up on the instructions of the Chief Minister Punjab regarding the foul smell in the water of the tubewell in Karim Park informed that the water of the tubewell installed in 2008 was declared unsuitable for human consumption. The chief minister directed that legal action should be initiated against the elements involved in this matter and the case be handed over to anti-corruption department.
The Chief Minister told the meeting that an initial amount of 100 million rupees has been provided for supply of diesel for the tubewells. He said that provincial government would provide more funds so that these tubewells should remain operational for the uninterrupted supply of water to the masses. He directed assembly members to constantly monitor the arrangements for water supply to minimise the problems of the people. Later, addressing a meeting at his tent office regarding Lahore Ring Road project, the Chief Minister said that Lahore Ring Road will be at par with motorway with regard to its standard of construction and facilities. Earlier Commissioner Lahore Division Jawad Rafique Malik gave a briefing to the Chief Minister regarding Ring Road Project. Agriculture Minister Ahmad Ali Aulakh, Chairman Planning and Development, Secretary Finance, District Co-ordination Officer Lahore and officers concerned were also present in the meeting.