Punjab Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan conducted a visit to the Punjab Transport Company (PTC) head office here. Transport Secretary Dr Javed Ahmed Qazi warmly welcomed the minister on his arrival.
Accompanied by Chairman Board of Directors Rais Abbas Zaidi, the minister inspected various sectors of the Punjab Transport Company. Later, the minister also presided over a meeting where the in-charges of various departments gave a detailed briefing to the minister about their working, CEO Farrukh Abbas briefed about the Enforcement Wing and Route Permit. The minister while issuing orders to improve the driving system, saying that records should be fully computerized as soon as possible, adding that the performance of public transport should be improved in other cities of Punjab, while a modern plan should be adopted to improve the quality of service delivery. Bilal Akbar Khan said that for better results in office affairs, the staff and officers should be provided all available resources, however, day-to-day performance of all sectors has to be further improved. He emphasized that the information technology has to be utilized, saying that the Punjab government would soon start running eco-friendly electric buses and the promise of public transport facility across Punjab would be fulfilled. He said that the provision of public transport would reduce the traffic pressure on the roads and there would be a definite reduction in environmental pollution including accidents, while the project of eco-friendly hybrid buses would be launched in Bahawalpur and Faisalabad. A memorial shield was also given to the minister by the PTC. Chairman Board of Directors Rais Abbas Zaidi, Acting Chief Executive Officer Farrukh Abbas Khan, Chief Operating Officer Hasan Faiq along with Company Secretary and other officers were also present.Meanwhile
Punjab Agriculture Minister Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said on Monday that provision of fertilizers to farmers at fixed rates must be ensured. He said this during his visit to Agriculture House here. He said that zero tolerance policy should be implemented against those who were involved in overcharging of fertilizers and smuggling of sub-standard fertilizers.
Punjab Agriculture (Extension) Director General Dr Ishtiaq Hassan briefed the minister that till now overcharging of 294 fertilizers and 109 samples of non-standard agricultural drugs had been reported while 208 involved dealers had been handed over to police besides seizing 10,714 bags of substandard fertilizers. Syed Muhammad Ashiq said that the arrest process should be ensured so that persons involved in such illegal activities meet their logical end. He further said that a new law was being introduced for the registration and issuance of licenses to dealers which would help in reducing problems of farmers. The Minister sought a plan from the Director General of Agriculture (Extension) for”Cotton Revival” in every district and directed to bring maximum area under cotton cultivation and provide technical guidance to the farmers in this regard.
Later, the Provincial Agriculture Minister visited the Marketing department and issued instructions for further improvement while inspecting the monitoring of 51 Fair Price Shops established in connection with the Holy month of Ramadan.
The Minister for Agriculture also issued orders to communicate the prices of essential commodities to people on a daily basis through social media and other mediums.
