LAHORE: The PTI’s Punjab government has called its cabinet meeting in Bahawalpur without even a single item related to south Punjab on its 12-point agenda.

The meeting has been scheduled for Dec 29 (Saturday) at the Islamia University.

Since Chief Minister Usman Buzdar belongs to south Punjab and the PTI government has vociferously been advocating the creation of south Punjab province since its general election campaign, the agenda has surprised many as neither there is anything on south Punjab province nor is there anything about its secretariat. There is not even any specific development agenda.

The cabinet, according to agenda, will discuss draft Punjab Water Policy and formulation of provincial labour deletion policy.

As recommended by the standing committee of cabinet on legislative business, the cabinet will take up the matter of amendment to the Punjab Government Rules of Business, 2011.

Top of the agenda item relates to the allocation of vehicles to the provincial cabinet and rationalisation of official vehicles.

The cabinet will take up an unsolicited proposal by the Defence Housing Authority, Rawalpindi; the DHA Islamabad; Bahria Town, Ltd, Habib Rafique (JV Partner) for grant of concession for the construction of operation and maintenance of Dadhocha Dam in Rawalpindi on a Build Operate Transfer (BOT) basis – in line with the Punjab government’s Public Private Partnership Arrangement.

It will also discuss handing over of control of lower portion of Chashma Right Bank Canal (CRBC) and supply of full share of water from the CRBC to Punjab.

The cabinet will discuss three options regarding enhancement of salary of doctors working in specialized healthcare and medical education as well as primary and secondary health departments as advised by the Chief Justice of Pakistan – on a Human Rights case No 505 of 2018.

Establishment of South Punjab Forest Company (SPFC) is also on the agenda as it was reflected in a constitution petition No 17 and 19 of 2018.

The cabinet will constitute a search committee as well as finalise an eligibility criteria for selection and appointment of vice chancellor, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Science, Bahawalpur.

It will also discuss the Annual Performance Report 2017 of Punjab Power Development Board (PPDB), energy department; as well as audit reports of Auditor General of Pakistan on the accounts of District Management Organisation Punjab, Audit Year 2017-18; and accounts of District Health and Education Authorities Punjab for the audit year 2017-18.

Following the cabinet meeting, the CM will hold meetings on law and order and development profile of the division.

The Bahawalpur commissioner will brief the chief minister on development profile of the division and the RPO Bahawalpur will brief on law and order.

The chief minister will also hold a meeting with MNAs, MPAs, president and general secretary of the PTI and Chairman District Council of Bahawalpur Division as well as representatives of the Bahwalpur High Court and District Bar Association. He will also hold a separate meeting with the members of the Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2018