Says govt represents 220 million people of Pakistan and is answerable to them
Amraiz Khan
Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Thursday said that Chief Minister Usman Buzdar chaired the 44th provincial cabinet meeting which approved the increase in government employees’ salaries, adding that more than seven lac and 21 thousand provincial government employees of grade 1 to 19 will be given 25% special allowance from June 1st, 2021.
Talking to the media at DGPR Office here on Thursday, Dr Firdous said the cabinet has approved Rs7.1 billion for free medical facilities to the residents of DG Khan and Sahiwal Divisions under the Universal Health Insurance Programme.
She said the CM has directed the health department to ensure free health coverage of the whole population of Punjab by December this year.
The Special Assistant said the cabinet has approved the amendment in the Punjab Board of Revenue Act 1957 to early decide revenue cases by withdrawing second review appeal in revenue cases.
It has been principally decided to provide financial assistance to rain-hit Hafizabad, Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan and other districts for compensation of death and financial losses, she said.
The SACM said the cabinet approved amendments in 122 years old Stamp Act of 1899 to authorize BoR to audit private housing societies.
She said the cabinet gave formal approval of Imran Amin as CEO of Ravi Urban Development Authority and amended Punjab Arms Rules 2017 to authorize the deputy commissioners the transfer and modification of arms licenses.
Dr Firdous said the cabinet has expressed its concern over the irresponsible behavior of the Sindh government for the sake of point-scoring on the water issue.
She said the Sindh government is engaged in propaganda against Punjab and leveling baseless allegations in media. We negate such an approach towards federating units.
Punjab has always acted as an elder brother but it will not allow anyone to make a dacoity on its rights, she said.
The Special Assistant advised the Singh government to cooperate with the Punjab government for improving the water monitoring system rather than leveling baseless allegations.
The opposition is unnerved over the economic recoveries by PM Imran Khan-led government.
She said that futile efforts are being made to revive the PDM which is a dacoit movement after the escape of ‘P’.
The SACM advised the uncle and his niece to first settle their internal disputes before criticizing the government and its policies.
She said the hotchpotch umbrella alliance of 11 assorted parties is unable to act like a sane opposition and is unable to govern Pakistan. Every effort to polarize the nation will be fully thwarted.
She said the budget belongs to the nation and the government is committed to giving people their due rights.
Dr Firdous said this government represents 220 million people of Pakistan and is answerable to them.
Upon a proposal of the Law Minister, the CM has directed the administrative secretaries to consult their respective ministers while finalizing the departmental budget.
She said that Shehzad Akbar and Nazir Chohan are part of the party and they should better settle their differences amicably rather than washing their dirty linen in the public.
The SACM said the PTI is duty-bound to fulfill the expectations of the people and to revive the hopes of the general public that voted for it in 2018. The opposition is divided and unable to exert pressure on the government.
The government will complete its constitutional term and elections will be held according to their schedule, concluded the SACM.
