Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday said that the Ravi Urban Development and Central Business District project would substantially reduce pollution as would feature green spaces, waste management system, clean energy sources and eco-friendly international best practices.
The prime minister, chairing a meeting to review progress on the projects, emphasized that they were of vital importance to the country, particularly Lahore. He said the government had no self-interest rather it was working for the welfare of citizens of Lahore. The prime minister said that the incumbent government had revitalized dead capital to earn revenue and had initiated landmark construction projects that no previous government planned in the last two decades.
He announced that disciplinary action would be taken against officials who do not adhere to the timelines and cause delay in the projects’ implementation. He also directed the Punjab government to actively pursue legal cases pending against these projects. Earlier, the meeting was briefed that green spaces had been reserved in all the projects and clean technologies would be used to ensure eco-friendly construction.
It was apprised that seven international groups have participated in establishment of a waste treatment plant in Ravi Urban Development project and agreements have been signed with international organizations, including UN-HABITAT, to comply with the international green standards. The meeting was also updated regarding components of RUDA projects to be considered for inclusion in CPEC projects.
It was informed that 1,500 kanal Chaharbagh Residential project has been launched with 3,000 apartments and 1,000 low-cost apartments for which 17,500 applications have been received and balloting would be held next month. Regarding CBD, it was apprised that Rs15 billion revenue was expected from the sale of seven mixed-use plots. It was informed that leveling and excavation work had started in Walton.
The meeting was attended by Chairman of Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority Lt Gen (R) Anwar Ali Haider and senior officials. Punjab Housing Minister Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, Advisor to CM Punjab Dr Salman Shah, Chief Secretary of Punjab and senior provincial government officials joined via video link.
Separately, Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday called for activating the party workers to strengthen Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf at the local level in Charsada District. In a meeting with MNA Fazal Muhammad Khan, he called for resolving public issues in coordination with the district administration. During the meeting, they also discussed matters pertaining to the party and development projects.
Also, Prime Minister Imran said that the government would modernize and improve the basic road infrastructure of Balochistan to ensure progress and prosperity in the province. In a meeting with Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, the prime minister said the construction of different roads, particularly the western route under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, was a major breakthrough. He hoped that it would usher in an era of social as well as economic improvement in the province.
During the meeting, they also discussed the dualization of Karachi-Quetta RCD Road. The prime minister offered Fateha for Salar Sanjrani, the brother of Senate chairman, who passed away recently in a road accident, and expressed deep grief and prayed for peace of the departed soul.
