RAWALPINDI: Punjab Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs, Local Bodies and Community Development Mohammad Basharat Raja on Sunday said that Rawalpindi would soon get a metropolitan status.

Addressing a briefing on Glorious Rawalpindi at Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), he said the Punjab government’s prime focus was to develop cities across the province and Rawalpindi being historical city would be made hub for tourists.

The minister said the government would soon launch an anti-encroachments campaign in the city areas in consultation with all the stakeholders.

Says govt plans to make the city hub for tourists

“The Punjab government and his office will take all stakeholders on board to address the issues including encroachment, shifting of wholesale markets, fruit and vegetable markets to ring road, parking in main markets, waste management, traffic congestion and facelift of historical buildings,” he said.

He said the government was working to shift the grain market outside the city and in this regard, the site along ring road project was under consideration. However, he said that traders would be taken on board.

The minister said for the cleanliness of the city, the government would acquire land outside the city to dump solid waste on scientific lines to avoid spread of diseases.

He said a new social security hospital would be established in Rawalpindi and a social security dispensary would be upgraded soon to provide healthcare facilities to the labourers and their families.

He said the government was working to improve the condition of Murree Road and restore historical buildings to present the local culture for the attraction of the tourists and visitors.

The minister said that Alternate Dispute Resolution Committee (ADRC) would be established at local level to address the people’s grievances at police stations.

He assured full support for releasing funds for construction of link road to Rawat Industrial Estate, upgradation of Social Security Dispensary, Renovation of Rawalpindi Gymkhana club and other development projects in Rawalpindi.

To a question about expected protest of opposition and the traders over budget, the minister said that the government would chalk out a plan to deal with them if they come to streets.

Earlier, RCCI President in his address gave a detailed overview of Chambers current and upcoming activities to promote trade activities in the city and asked for cooperation in addressing property tax, board tax, dual taxation and amendments in laws hindering development of the city.

The office-bearers of RCCI gave presentation about beautification project for the city.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2019