Lahore: Shahbaz wants city free of billboards, parks beautified

[Naveed Yaseen]

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has issued directions to make the provincial metropolis free of billboards and retrieve the state land from illegal occupants for the construction of modern pavilions for providing facilities of recreation and sports to the youth.

He further directed that a comprehensive plan should be presented for the beautification of Jallo Park and Iqbal Park whereas Jinnah Bagh should be handed over to the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) for the provision of better facilities to the citizens.

He was presiding over a meeting regarding the PHA, the WASA, the Solid Waste Management and installation of tube-wells, at Chief Minister’s Secretariat, here on Tuesday. Members National Assembly Bilal Yasin, Azhar Khokhar, Members Provincial Assembly Mian Nauman, Mohsin Latif, Ch. Shahbaz Ahmad, Ch. Allah Rakha, Chairman Taskforce Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan, the Secretary Housing, the Commissioner Lahore Division, the LDA and the PHA director generals, Managing Director WASA as well as representatives of the Frontier Works Organizations, the NESPAK and other departments concerned were present on the occasion.

The CM ordered that the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) should remain fully alert to cope with any untoward situation during monsoon season and all arrangements should be finalized in this regard. He said that if people faced hardships during monsoon or the problem of drainage of water arose in the low lying areas, the officials responsible would not be spared. He further directed that the project of installation of tubewells should be completed at the earliest for the provision of potable water to the people.

He said that provision of a healthy atmosphere and recreational facilities to the people was among the priorities of the government and steps were being taken in this regard throughout the province. He said that Lahore would again be transformed into the city of gardens so that its traditional beauty could be restored and more and more foreign tourists attracted. He said that under the present tense situation, the provision of healthy recreational facilities was of utmost importance for polishing the talent of the young generation.

He directed that a survey of the entire city should be conducted and illegal occupants of state land identified and removed for utilizing this land for the construction of beautiful pavilions.

He ordered the preparation of a complete plan for the beautification of Kamran’s Baradari and developing a beautiful lake in this area with the consultation of foreign experts. He also called a separate briefing to develop the Jallo Park on the international standard. He said that a modern park at Jallo would be a source of recreational facilities not only for Lahorites but also for the people of the whole country.

The chief minister directed setting up of a book street and a tea shop for writers at the Mall Road as well as beautification of the canal from Wahga to Thokar Niaz Beg. He also ordered to set up two cultural villages in Lahore and give him a briefing in this regard within one month after identification of the villages.

He said that billboards had marred the traditional beauty of the city during the last few years.

WFP representative: World Food Programme Representative in Pakistan, Wolfgang Herbinger, called on Shahbaz Sharif at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat here Monday.

MNA, MPAs call on CM: National and Provincial Assembly members belonging to various districts called on Shahbaz Sharif at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=185866