Observer Report
Lahore
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday directed Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to take immediate steps to provide relief to people, control inflation and take action against hoarders. CM’s Advisor Dr Salman Shah briefed the Prime Minister about government’s measures and future strategy for socio-economic development and promotion of agriculture and industrial sectors in the province.
Meanwhile, Governor Punjab Chaudhary Sarwar and Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar called on Prime Minister Imran Khan and discussed overall situation in the province and matters pertaining to development and public welfare. The Prime Minister in separate meeting advised the Punjab government to consider the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s model of industrial growth that had been successful in the province.
Imran Khan said the provincial government should take benefit from the database of Ehsaas programme for disbursement of the industrial loans.
The briefing focused on the measures being taken by Punjab government for provision of jobs, ease of doing business, increasing the skilled workforce, interest-free loans, increasing ratio of low-markup loans to women, online portal for launch of business and establishment of special economic zones.
The meeting was also attended by Punjab Minister for Industries Mian Muhammad Aslam Iqbal, Minister for Finance Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht, Chief Secretary Yousuf Nasim Khokhar and other senior officers. Special Assistants to PM Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Naeemul Haq and Nadeem Afzal Chan were also present.
PM also directed the Punjab govt to immediately design and execute a new master plan of the Lahore city. Chairing a high level meeting to discuss the establishment of industrial zones, the prime minister said the new master plan for Lahore was inevitable considering the multiplied size of population and haphazard growth of the city.
