CM announces second phase of housing scheme for journalists

Elahi orders restoration of Punjab Transport Company 8Gives approval for electric buses in Lahore

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi on Wednesday announced the launch of the second phase of the Lahore Press Club housing scheme.

He was chairing the 10th meeting of the Punjab Journalist Housing Foundation’s board at his office.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that 500 kanals would be reserved Cantonment tehsil to allot five marla plots each for journalists in the Ashiana Housing Scheme.

In the meeting, the illegal allotment of 15 plots in LPC’s B-Block was cancelled and CM stressed that the plots would be transparently allotted to the rightful persons of B-Block.

He also directed the police to evict the illegal occupants from the housing scheme’s B-Block and assured that the victims of B-Block will be given their due right. He called a meeting to resolve the problem of the victims at the earliest.

Moreover, the chief minister sought recommendations for the Faisalabad Press Club housing scheme and added that 468 plots would be allotted in this scheme. He waived off Rs350 million amount the PJHF had owed to the finance department as dues.

He announced plans to launch housing schemes for journalists in other districts and noted that a housing scheme was established for journalists 18 years ago. Hundreds of plots have been given to journalists in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan, he concluded. Press Secretary to CM Ch Muhammad Iqbal, National Press Club President Anwar Raza, Lahore Press Club President Muhammad Azam Chaudhry, Rawalpindi Press Club Cooperative Housing Society President Rana Muhammad Tahir, PFUJ General Secretary Rana Muhammad Azim, PJHF MD Rao Parvez Akhtar and others attended the meeting.

MPAs Sajid Ahmad Khan Bhatti, Zainab Umair, SMBR, Lahore CCPO, secretary information, Lahore commissioner, secretary forest, secretary settlement commissioner BoR, DC Lahore, DC Rawalpindi, DG LDA, DG FDA and DGPR attended the meeting.

Separately, the chief minister on Wednesday gave approval for running electric buses in Lahore.

The CM has also ordered officials concerned to procure more buses for a separate feeder route project.

During the meeting with the Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMTA), CM Elahi ordered the restoration of the Punjab Transport Company.

He announced that eight stations of the Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) will be commercialized. He also approved the procurement of new buses for the metro bus service in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

In the meeting, PMTA also decided in principle to continue the Bahawalpur-Lodhran bus service. CM also approved the speedo bus route from Lahore to Sheikhupura and Muridke.

Meanwhile, Parvez Elahi met Swiss Ambassador Georg Steiner at his office. According to reports, the two sides discussed matters pertaining to mutual relations and enhancement of bilateral trade.

It was agreed to increase cooperation in hydroelectricity projects, dairy farming, climatic change and tourism sectors.

Speaking on the occasion, Elahi said that the Punjab government has formulated a plan to establish hydropower projects along Chenab river. “We would welcome cooperation of Swiss companies in the construction of such projects,” he maintained. Pakistan, he said, is badly affected due to climatic change, adding that there is a dire need to undertake concrete measures at the international level to cope up with the detrimental effects of climatic change. The CM disclosed that special economic zones will be established for the promotion of foreign investment in Punjab.

The ambassador extended an invitation to the chief minister to visit Switzerland and stated that Punjab is an important province and is swiftly heading forward under his able leadership. “We would undertake durable measures in order to enhance cooperation in various sectors of Punjab.”

Senior Political Advisor Usama Qaiser Khan, Former federal secretary and P&D Chairman Salman Ghani, Former principal secretary to CM GM Sikandar, SMBR, P&D Secretary, CEO PBIT and others attended the meeting.