ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday decided to formally make south Punjab secretariat operational on Oct 15 and expressed the hope that the decision would bring an era of prosperity and development to the under-developed areas of Punjab.

The prime minister announced this at a meeting on the establishment and working of south Punjab secretariat.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, Finance Minister Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht, the chief secretary, additional chief secretary and the additional inspector general of south Punjab joined the meeting through video link.

According to the Prime Minister Office, Mr Khan emphasised that the government’s focus was on bringing about improvement to the life of the common man and directed the administration of south Punjab to work to fulfil this vision.

He lauded the efforts of Chief Minister Buzdar and the Punjab government for the establishment of south Punjab secretariat and said these solid steps reflected the PTI government’s will to implement the party’s manifesto in letter and spirit.

PM hopes decision will bring prosperity to the region

The prime minister regretted that governments in the past had ignored genuine issues of the people of south Punjab.

Stressing the need for introduction of provincial finance commission award, the prime minister said: “Separate allocation for south Punjab would usher in a new era of progress and prosperity.”

He directed the authorities to complete the process of devolution of power phase-wise to ensure smooth running of administrative procedures. PM Khan asked them to keep him regularly updated on the progress of the working of south Punjab secretariat.

Foreign Minister Qureshi highlighted the steps taken by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf in accordance with the aspirations of the people of south Punjab for the establishment of new secretariat, devolution of administrative powers, ending the sense of deprivation among the people of the region and solving their problems at their doorsteps.

He said the PTI government had fulfilled its promise to establish south Punjab secretariat, which had instilled a new spirit among the people of the area about their identity.

Mr Qureshi presented a proposal for allocating budget for south Punjab in the next year’s Public Sector Development Programme and reserving a quota for locals in employment.

The prime minister was informed that the rules of business of the Punjab government had been amended following the establishment of south Punjab secretariat and 16 secretaries had been deputed in south Punjab.

The prime minister was informed that health, education, police, planning and development, local government, finance and agriculture departments had been established for south Punjab.

An effective structural organisation had been put in place in the new secretariat which was equipped with technology, e-governance and paperless culture to facilitate the people, he was told.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2020