South Punjab Secretariat was part of PTI agenda, says Punjab CM Usman Buzdar

LAHORE (92 News) – Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said that the establishment of the South Punjab Secretariat was part of the PTI agenda and the party had contested elections under this agenda to ameliorate the lot of the common man living in remote areas.

Addressing a press conference at his office on Friday, he said that the notifications of March 29 and 30 about the South Punjab Secretariat have been cancelled adding that the possibility of human error and clerical mistake cannot be ignored. "In the light of the investigation of the ministerial committee, the concerned secretary has been made OSD."

He said that the ministerial committee will submit its recommendations about expanding the number of already existing 16 departments to all the provincial departments in south Punjab. It will also recommend making the south Punjab secretariat more efficient and active while laying the foundation stone of the south Punjab secretariat is being contemplated as well.

Similarly, the CM disclosed that the bill about reserving jobs-quota for South Punjab will be presented before the cabinet and further disclosed that he has decided to spend a full day in Multan and another in Bahawalpur every month. "Similarly, all the ministers will also go to Multan and Bahawalpur every month for two days to deal with matters about the people. The provincial cabinet meeting was held in Bahawalpur for the first time and the cabinet meeting will also be held in Multan soon and this will continue," he added. "The South Punjab secretariat will be made fully functional and no hurdles will be allowed to arise in this regard, the CM emphasized adding that the committee will give its recommendations in seven days."

Replying to questions, the CM said that he belongs to the backward area of south Punjab and now the whole province was being led to move forward.

Provincial Ministers Raja Basharat, Hashim Jawan Bakht, Hussain Jahanian Gardezi, Mohsin Leghari, Sardar Husnain Bahadur Dareshak, Dr Muhammad Akhtar Malik, Shoukat Lalika, SACM Firdous Ashiq Awan, Tahir Bashir Cheema and others were also present.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar also chaired an important meeting at his office on Friday to hold a detailed review of proposals to empower the South Punjab secretariat. The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Raja Basharat, Hashim Jawan Bakht, Mohsin Leghari, Husnain Bahadur Dareshak. Shoukat Lalika, Hussain Jahanian Gardezi, Akhtar Malik, SACM Firdous Ashiq Awan, Tahir Bashir Cheema, Chief Secretary, Chairman P&D and ACS (South Punjab) and others.