LAHORE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar during his visit to Gujranwala on Tuesday suspended five officers on public complaints about bribery and negligence of duty, and initiated inquiries against them.

The officers are CEO (Education) Farooq, Tehsildar (Gujranwala Saddar) Khwaja Nadeem, Sub-Registrar (Rural) Ansar Sagheer Khan, the assistant superintendent jail and warden Faisal.

The chief minister made it clear that no one would be allowed to hinder the agenda of public service and the officers who do not serve people have no right to stay on their posts. “Only public interest is dear to me,” he added.

He visited the under-construction Gakkhar Sports Arena at Gakkhar Mandi and inspected its various sections. He said this sports facility would be completed at a cost of around Rs370 million where cricket, hockey and football grounds are being constructed and the facilities of gymnasium, tennis, basketball, volleyball courts and other sports will also be available.

He directed the officials to timely complete the work and ensure its quality. He said the construction of the sports arena would provide opportunities to the youth to exhibit their sports talent. Promotion of sports activities in the ‘New Pakistan’ was the top priority of the government, he said.

The secretary sports gave a briefing to the chief minister and said the sports arena was being developed on 55 kanal.

Later, CM Buzdar inaugurated the shelter home at the general bus stand and inspected the facilities provided in it. He said i t’s a fine example of benevolence and said shelter homes were being constructed in every district of the province. Medical facilities are also being provided to them along with food, he said.

The chief minister also inaugurated traveler eye center at the general bus stand. Speaking to the media afterward, Usman Buzdar said feasibility report about the setting up of a university in Gujranwala would be reviewed. “The people will be made empowered in the real sense in the new local government system,” he added.

He said postings and transfers (of bureaucracy) was the authority of the government and those who would not perform would be changed. Similarly, the change would be made wherever an issue arises, he added. He said he would personally monitor the crackdown on adulteration mafia.

He also directed to release the audit report about alleged irregularities in the Gujranwala Medical College and Teaching Hospital along with initiation of proceedings.

At the model children home of the Social Welfare Department, he met the children and enhanced their pocket money and directed the officials to arrange a doctor for the treatment of the ailing children. He also directed to arrange recreation tours for the children and invited them to a fast food outlet for a meal.

Mr Buzdar visited the Central Jail and inquired about the issues the prisoners had been facing. He expressed his indignation on the complaint of bribery by the visitors and suspended in-charge assistant superintendent and warden Faisal. He distributed certificates among women prisoners completing beautician and sewing courses and directed to install room coolers in their barracks.

He inaugurated the literacy centre for them and also inspected the cleanliness arrangement of washrooms in the jail.

The chief minister also distributed financial aid cheques worth Rs1 million each among the families of the five children and a woman who had recently died in the KT Model School incident.

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2019