LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said that the PTI government has started taking solid steps to fulfil the promises made to the people; "some projects are completed while work on others is in progress". He also disclosed that the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train Project will be start in October.

He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony in connection with the completion of two years of the PTI government held here on Wednesday. "Despite difficult challenges, we presented progressive and pro-business budgets and rationalised taxes and increased revenue collection," he said.

According to him, to minimise the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on trade and industry and health sector, the government allocated Rs 106 billion in the new fiscal year. Despite the difficult situation, additional Rs 5 billion were provided for development projects.

"The government is committed to setting up a university in every district and at present seven universities are being set up in Punjab. We are giving full attention to human resource development and committed to create job opportunities by promoting the construction industry," he said.

The CM said that establishment of a secretariat in southern Punjab was a part of the PTI manifesto and the promise has been fulfilled. "The Additional Chief Secretary and Additional IG have been appointed besides posting of secretaries for departments, and 33 percent of the total development funds have been allocated for southern Punjab," he added.

Talking about the Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Project, he said it is the largest mega project in the country and its utility cannot be denied. "This project will give a huge boost to our economy. Moreover, work on 13 special economic zones (SEZs) has started; the federal government has issued notification for six SEZs and notification for other zones will be issued soon," he added.

According to him, the work on Naya Pakistan Housing Programme is in progress and clean water project worth Rs 2 billion will start soon. After going through a list of projects that the government has undertaken and completed, he talked about the performance of the Punjab Assembly. "During its two year tenure, it passed 58 bills relating to public welfare and 38 basic laws. It carried out more legislation as compare to other provincial assemblies," he added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020