Agricultural land to be protected in future

Central Business District projects will also be taken into consideration in the plan

Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi presided over the 8th meeting of LDA governing body at CM office on Wednesday in which Lahore Master Plan 2050 was granted approval and which laid emphasis on securing agricultural land in the future.

It was decided during the meeting to enforce sustainable policy measures for maintaining the urban rural balance. It was decided during the meeting to enhance proportion of green land area from 7 to 20 percent in Lahore and approval was also granted to undertake planning in the Lahore Master Plan for the division, district and town level. CM directed that planning should be made in the Lahore Master Plan according to the proportion of population in the transport, commercial and industrial areas.

He revealed that Central Business District Projects would also be taken into consideration in the Lahore Master Plan. Approval was granted to promote tourism, environment and urban facilities in the Lahore Master Plan 2050. Approval was granted for the issuance of additional funds for the Area Development Programme for the financial year 2022-23. Approval was accorded to improve service structure of the heads of finance, revenue and recovery wings of LDA. Approval was granted for making rules and regulations of appointment and promotion in the IT cadre.

Approval was given during the meeting to arrange out of court settlement with the legal heirs of Dr. Iftikhar and other owners. Principal approval was granted during the meeting to renew an agreement with the Choueifat School. Approval was granted for PC-1 of LDA City and allotment of substitute plots to the affectees of Mustafa Town. Vice Chairman LDA and Senior Provincial Minister Mian Muhammad Aslam Iqbal, Principal Secretary to CM Muhammad Khan Bhatti, former Principal Secretary to CM G.M Sikandar, Vice Chairman WASA Sheikh Imtiaz Mahmood, MPA Pir Mukhtar, Tariq Sana Bajwa, Secretaries of Housing and Local Government departments, Commissioner Lahore Division, DG LDA and concerned officials attended the meeting.

Chief Minister Elahi has fulfilled his promise to the people of Taunsa. On his order, a notification has been issued to give the status of the district to Taunsa. The CM presented a notification to Kh. Shirazul Mahmood MNA and Muhammad Khan Leghari. The district would comprise Vohwa, Taunsa, Koh-e-Sulaiman tehsils and 362 union councils. The CM mentioned that he promised to give the status of the district to Taunsa in a public meeting in 2005 and added that the problems of the people will be solved at their doorstep now. A new chapter of development will begin and the area would be prosperous besides creating employment opportunities for the people. The establishment of five new districts and a division in a short period is unique in provincial history, he remarked.

Also, Elahi paid tribute to the security forces for the successful operation against the terrorists in Bannu. He praised the bravery and courage of the soldiers of the Pakistan Army and said that the security forces have bravely defeated the terrorists. I salute the officers and jawans of the security forces, he added and asserted that the whole nation was united to eradicate the scourge of terrorism.

The CM also paid tribute to the sacrifice of the martyred soldiers and extended heartfelt sympathies to their families. We value the great sacrifices of the martyrs for the cultivation of peace in the country; he said and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.