27 June 2004	Sunday	08 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

LAHORE, June 26: Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi said here on Saturday katchi abadis (slums) in the Punjab would be provided with all basic amenities under the National Housing Policy. He was presiding over a meeting on katchi abadis , which was attended among others by Lahore Nazim Mian Amer Mahmood, Information Technology Minister Abdul Aleem Khan and chief secretary Kamran Rasool.

He said solid steps were being taken to improve the living standard of the dwellers of katchi abadis. The government would ensure implementation of all decisions regarding the grant of ownership rights to the residents of those abadis.

The chief minister said all departments concerned would be bound to grant the ownership rights without any delay. He directed the Pakistan railways' officials to adopt a positive attitude towards the solution of problems of the slum dwellers along railway lines.

He ordered that the process of creating infrastructure in katchi abadis be expedited. He also directed heads of all development authorities to prepare a development package for these in their areas.

Mr Pervaiz Elahi said it was necessary to bring into the development fold all neglected segments of society to fight poverty.

Mian Amer presented a report on the grant of ownership rights to the residents of katchi abadis along railway lines.