LAHORE: The Punjab Aab-i-Pak Authority’s board on Wednesday granted approval to authority’s PC-I and other administrative matters.

Governor Chaudhry Sarwar, who is also patron-in-chief of the authority, had lashed out at civil bureaucrats last week alleging they were creating hurdles in the processes for smooth functioning of the authority as its file was moving slowly from one office to another.

The governor’s outburst paid off as the very next day, he stated that the officers concerned had approached him and assured of completion of the process within a week.

Consequently, the authority’s board meeting was held at the Governor House under the chairmanship of Mr Sarwar.

Authority Chairman retired Gen Nawaz Saleem Mela, Secretary to Governor Dr Rashid Mansoor, Board Member Gohar Ijaz, SMBR Babar Hayat Tarar, P&D, public health and housing, local government and other relevant departments’ officials attended the meeting.

The board approved three-member HR committee headed by Gen Mela, with Mr Gohar Ijaz being one of the members. It will start process for the hiring of a consultant and staff from next month.

Speaking to media persons, the governor said the HR committee would ensure recruitment on merit to help the authority emerge as a strong institution.

“The authority will ensure transparency and merit,” he said.

Mr Sarwar said the local government and community development department secretary had attended the meeting and assured the board its support at the grassroots level. He said the authority would work round-the-clock and the promise to provide clean and safe drinking water to people of Punjab would be fulfilled.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2020