MULTAN, Sept 7: Provincial Minister for Housing Malik Tanveer Aslam Awan said the provincial government will provide full assistance to ongoing and new projects in the city and adjoining areas.

He said this while presiding over a meeting at the commissioner’s office. The minister said obstacles in the projects of Multan Master Plan 2008-28 would also be removed. He directed the officials concerned to identify land for Ashiyana Housing Scheme in the city so the facility could be provided to the low-income group.

District Coordination Officer Syed Gulzar Hussain Shah in his briefing at the meeting stated Multan was the first city between Karachi and Islamabad for whom 20-year master plan had been prepared. He said the National Engineering Services Pakistan (Nespak) had prepared the plan and it had been finalised.

He said the jurisdiction of Multan Development Authority had been increased from 362 square kilometres to 700 sq km and the master plan had been divided into four parts comprising land development growth, housing, social infrastructure and industry and commerce.

He added education, health, sports, solid waste management, water supply, sanitation and traffic and transportation had been included in social infrastructure.

In the first phase of the plan, projects to widen five roads had been suggested, including Chowk Aziz Hotel to Khayam Hotel, Chungi No 14 to General Bus Stand, MDA Chowk to Northern Bypass, Abshaar Chowk to Ali Chowk and Khoni Burj Chowk to Chungi No 14.

The minister was also briefed about the Metro Bus Service project as well as issues the Water and Sanitation Agency was facing. He said all issues related to the provincial government would be resolved. — Staff Correspondent