LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to issue Sehat Insaf cards to the provincial government employees and directed completing procedural matters at the earliest.

Chief Minister Usman Buzdar says the cards will help government employees get healthcare facilities up to Rs725,000 and adds the amount can be increased in case of any need.

WCLA: The chief minister has accorded approval to regularise the services of employees of the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) to encourage them to renew their commitment and zeal.

The chief minister also announced expanding the scope of the WCLA to other cities of the province. He said the decision would lead to restoring the historic buildings in different districts to their original shape and grandeur and add to overall beauty besides the promotion of tourism. He said provincial metropolis and other cities were of historic importance and could attract tourists. He said the present government was working to develop the tourism sector on modern lines.

SOUTH PUNJAB: The chief minister reviewed development schemes in southern Punjab districts.

He directed that 18 rest houses of Fort Munro should be properly renovated, adding that the famous hill resort would be made the best tourist-spot having online booking facility.

The meeting also decided to construct small dams for the storage of water in Dera Ghazi Khan and Fort Munro that would also help provide clean drinking water to the local community.

The chief minister directed auctioning of decrepit vehicles of the Tribal Area Development Authority and other departments. He said the lining of Maneka Canal should be done on priority basis along-with plantation of trees on the adjacent land as well as a separate sewerage facility.

He said the truck body manufacturing industry should be relocated to some other suitable place in DG Khan and steps be taken for the treatment of wastewater. He said the machinery would be provided for improving solid waste management system in southern Punjab. He also called for improving the condition of parks.

Secretaries of irrigation, housing, sports and tourism and local bodies departments and others attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2019