DERA GHAZI KHAN: Chief Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal visited provincial border check posts in Dera Ghazi Khan on Tuesday to review the steps being taken to curb fertiliser smuggling.

He inspected Sakhi Sarwar, Rakhi Gauj and Bawata check-posts and reviewed the arrangements there.

He said coordinated efforts of the administration, police, border military police and the agriculture department ended the illegal transportation of fertilisers out of the province. He directed the officers to check vehicles carrying fertiliser at the check-posts through the online portal, besides continuing stricter checking of trucks departing the province.

Mr Afzal said that after registering an FIR, the confiscated fertiliser should be sold in the market at the fixed price. He also praised the spirit of the personnel performing duty at the check-posts in harsh weather.

Political Assistant Ikram Malik briefed the chief secretary and said 2,469 bags of urea that were being illegally transported out of the province were seized at the Sakhi Sarwar check post and sold at the fixed price in Choti Zaerin, Shah Sadar Din and Jhok Otra.

He said as per the instructions of the provincial government, CCTV cameras had been installed and the staff of administration, police, border military police, the agriculture department and customs had been deployed at all check posts.

South Punjab Additional CS retired Capt Saqib Zafar and the commissioner and regional police officer of DG Khan were also present.

The chief secretary also visited the DG Khan DHQ Hospital and the sites of various development projects. He inspected emergency and other wards at the hospital and inquired from the patients about the provision of medical facilities and medicines to them. Patients and their attendants said they were satisfied with the facilities and doctors’ conduct.

He inspected the sites of Sardar Fateh Mohammad Khan Buzdar Institute of Cardiology, Dera Mother and Child Hospital and under-construction Panahgah at the DHQ Hospital.

He appreciated the pace of work on the projects, besides issuing orders to ensure their timely completion. He said the pace of work on any project should not be slow, and he must be informed immediately if there was any problem in the release of funds.

He said with the completion of Sardar Fateh Mohammad Khan Buzdar Institute of Cardiology, not only the people of DG Khan but also of the adjoining areas, including Balochistan, would get state-of-the-art medical facilities.

During the visit to Fort Munro, the chief secretary was briefed on the steps being taken for the promotion of tourism and projects of the Fort Munro Chairlift, and Koh-e-Suleman Parkway project. The chief secretary said development work in Fort Munro must be carried out under the Master Plan.

Earlier, the chief secretary reviewed the prices and availability of fertilisers, development schemes and price control measures.

He asked the officers to continue monitoring fertiliser stocks and supplies and said efforts of the administrative officers to curb fertiliser smuggling were commendable.

He directed deputy commissioners to monitor land record centres to prevent corruption.

Published in Dawn, December 29th, 2021