OKARA: The Punjab chief minister paid a 50-minute visit to Okara on Monday that was really surprising for the district administration, police and even the local parliamentarians belonging to his party, the PML-N.

The visit was kept so secret that when Shahbaz Sharif’s helicopter landed at the Jinnah Stadium at District Courts Complex there was no body to receive him.

The chief minister, who was accompanied by his personal security staff, used a private car owned by Arshad Iqbal, a former president of the Okara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to reach the Ramazan Bazaar managed by the market committee at the Mahboob Alam Chowk, through Mandi Road, M A Jinnah Road and Ravi Road.

On knowing about the CM’s arrival, Sahiwal Commissioner Muhammad Siddique and Regional Police Officer Faisal Shahkar immediately reached there.

Both District Coordination Officer Saifullah Dogar and District Police Officer Babar Bakhat Qureshi were out of the city as the former was on a leave while the latter was in Lahore to appear in the Lahore High Court.

The CM told the commissioner to strictly monitor the prices during Ramazan.

He directed the RPO to take steps to improve traffic flow on city roads and take action against irregular heavy vehicles.

In Lahore, Shahbaz went to Township Ramazan Bazaar and took notice of the short supply of potatoes there.He also sought sale of chicken in Ramazan bazaars at least Rs20 per kg less than the market rate.

Published in Dawn, July 1st , 2014

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