LAHORE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has claimed that in the past only cosmetic work was done and nothing real achieved, adding: “Genuine priorities of the people were ignored due to the wrong policies of the previous rulers and people remained deprived of basic amenities of life.”

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the chief minister said that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government was rectifying the past mistakes, which would require time. “We don’t have any other agenda but to selflessly serve the people. We are burning midnight oil for public service,” he claimed.

REMISSION: Meanwhile, 51 prisoners have been released from different jails in compliance with the announcement of the chief minister about two-month remission in the sentences of prisoners across the province.

The chief minister had announced the 60-day remission under the Code of Criminal Procedure in the sentences of prisoners under which sentences of 4,516 prisoners have been commuted.

ONE-WHEELING: Mr Buzdar also directed to take steps to curb one-wheeling on Eidul Fitr and ordered indiscriminate crackdown on those involved in one-wheeling.

The chief minister said that no one can be allowed to put lives at risk due to one-wheeling. Action will be taken against the police officer concerned in case of a complaint of one-wheeling, and those involved in the activity will be punished as per law.

He also directed that special teams should be constituted to preempt one-wheeling and action also be initiated against under-age drivers.

TRAFFIC FLOW: The CM also directed to take steps to ensure smooth flow of traffic at tourist spots of Punjab, especially Murree, on Eidul Fitr.

He also directed to ensure smooth flow of traffic on the Islamabad-Murree route during Eid holidays. Tourists visiting Murree should not face any difficulties during the vacation, he added. A system should be developed to guide people and special arrangements made to ensure smooth traffic movement in and around Murree and other tourist spots during Eid.

The CM added that senior police officers should personally supervise traffic arrangements.

CONDOLENCE: Mr Buzdar also expressed grief over the death of Jamaat-i-Islami leader Dr Waseem Akhtar and prayed for him and his family.

He paid tribute to the departed soul and remarked how Dr Akhtar was a patriotic Pakistani and that his services will be remembered forever.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2019