CM for quick completion of uplift projects

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

Thursday, January 07, 2010
By Our Correspondent

LAHORE

CHIEF Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has directed the officials concerned to evolve a comprehensive system for completion of development projects on a fast-track basis.

He said a strategy should be devised for capacity building of the Lahore Development Authority and execution of mega projects and services of highly qualified and competent people should be acquired for this purpose.

He was addressing a meeting to review the pace of implementation of development projects in the provincial metropolis here on Wednesday. The meeting reviewed the projects of Ring Road, Sattu Katla, CBD, Doongi Ground and parking plazas.

The chief minister said the development projects worth billions of rupees were being executed across the province which would not only provide relief to the masses but would also leave a far-reaching impact on the development process.

Mr Shahbaz said a third-party audit system had been made compulsory for all the development projects and added that the present government considered itself a custodian of every penny of public money and utilisation of public funds in a transparent manner was its responsibility. He said Pakistan was a poor country and could not afford wastage of resources.

He directed the officials concerned to replace the conventional and obsolete system with a vibrant one, using the modern technology, for the implementation of development projects. He said the Lahore Ring Road Package-7 was the gateway to Lahore and besides planting of maximum trees for its beautification, attractive landscapes and monuments should also be constructed along the road. He said a modern park should be constructed along the Ring Road Package-6 for the provision of recreational facilities and that it should be completely outsourced. He said Package-6 & 7 of the Lahore Ring Road should be completed at the earliest and maximum trees should be planted around flyovers and tunnels.

The CM ordered the officials to prepare a model of Sattu Katla project and he should be given a briefing in this regard. He said all development projects should be low cost but of the highest standard.

Referring to illegal high-rises, Shahbaz Sharif said had officers and staff of the departments concerned shown a sense of responsibility there would have neither been any illegal constructions of high-rises in the city nor the need for their demolition. He said no one was above the law and the purpose of operation against illegal plazas was to convey the message to the public that no one could violate law on the basis of wealth or influence.

Earlier, the Lahore Division commissioner while giving a detailed briefing on the development projects said that work on the Lahore Ring Road Package-6 &7 was in going on speedily and it would be completed in the first week of February. He said a comprehensive programme had been evolved for development of landscape, horticulture and monuments on the packages. He said that instead of imported electricity polls, locally manufactured polls of the highest standard had been erected on Package-6.

The Planning and Development chairman, Lahore commissioner, Lahore Development Authority director general and senior officers concerned were present.