Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has said that PTI has taken exemplary steps to remove the deprivations of southern Punjab adding that people of southern Punjab will not have to go to Lahore now due to establishment of a separate secretariat.
The CM was talking to PTI office-bearers and MPAs at Circuit House, Bahawalpur on Friday. During the meeting, different matters came under discussion including the situation of coronavirus, ongoing anti-locust operation, development schemes and establishment of southern Punjab secretariat.
The CM further said that the establishment of a separate secretariat was the right of people of southern Punjab which has been given to them by the PTI government.
He told that re-appropriation of funds, meant for southern Punjab, to some other project or city, has already been banned. The sense of deprivation of southern Punjab is ended due to the steps taken by the PTI government.
The CM regretted that southern Punjab residents were duped with lofty slogans but past rulers did nothing for southern Punjab except lip-service.
The people of backward areas were ignored in past tenures and the residents of southern Punjab have taken revenge of their excesses by defeating them in general elections.
The deprivations of the southern Punjab will be turned into prosperity and happiness, the CM assured.
The CM affirmed that promise of separate secretariat for southern Punjab has been fulfilled. Approval of posting of additional chief secretary and additional ig police for southern Punjab secretariat has been given and a notification has also been issued. He added that posting of ACS and AIG in southern Punjab secretariat will be made soon and they will be posted in Bahawalpur and Multan.
Southern Punjab secretariat will be made functional very soon, he affirmed.
Those who called on the chief minister included Samiullah Chaudhry, Syed Iftikhar Gillani, Ahsan-ul-Haq Chaudhry, Asghar Joiya, Ahmad Usman Chanar, Sumaira Malik and others.
Earlier, the CM visited Rojhan Meeri Bangla where he was welcomed by Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari. The CM took round of Deewan-e-Khas and took interest in architectural work of the 140-year old building.
Dost Muhammad Mazari also showed historic pictures to him. The CM also met with notables of the area and told them the government is committing to develop every backward area, including Rojhan, because Punjab will move forward with the composite development of its backward towns. Assembly members, Advisor Hanif Pitafi, Sardar Ahmed Ali Dareskh MPA and others were also present on this occasion.
The CM also took an aerial view of Rahim Yar Khan, Rojhan, Bhong, Sadiqabad, Kot Sabzal and other areas on Friday to review the damages caused to the crops due to locust attack and issued necessary directions to the PDMA DG who accompanied him.
The CM also reviewed the coronavirus SOPs’ implementation and expressed concern over the violation of SOPs in bazaars. He directed strict compliance and made it clear that law will come into action in case of any non-compliance because SOPs are designed to protect the lives of the citizens.
