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LAHORE – In his three-hour long trip to the provincial metropolis, Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday held meetings with the provincial high-ups here and directed them to give relief to the common man by controlling the prices of essential commodities and completing welfare projects within the stipulated time period.
During the meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, Chief Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal and IG Rao Sardar Ali Khan, the prime minister was briefed on the law-and-order situation, various administrative and development issues and the ongoing development and public welfare schemes.
The prime minister directed the authorities concerned to complete all the ongoing development projects in Punjab within the stipulated time frame to facilitate the masses. “Best quality of all public welfare projects must be ensured for the benefit of people,” he affirmed.
Talking about the equality of law, the prime minister said: “Law is equal for all. No effort should be spared to ensure the rule of law.”
In the meeting regarding price control, the prime minister was apprised of various measures to control inflation. He was told that price control committees had been made functional at the district and tehsil level to provide essential commodities to the people at the fixed rates.
The prime minister said: “We are fully aware of the sufferings of the common man due to inflation. The government is working hard to provide maximum relief to people by taking sustainable steps,” he observed. He also ordered that indiscriminate crackdown on profiteers and hoarders should continue.
Imran Khan also had a meeting with Punjab Minister for Baitul Maal Syed Yawar Abbas Bukhari who briefed him on various welfare projects initiated under his department. The prime minister directed all possible measures to give maximum relief to the downtrodden. Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar was present in the meeting.
Punjab Minister for Forest Muhammad Sibtain Khan also met the prime minister. He directed the minister to increase the green cover in the province by planting new trees and protecting the existing ones.
In his meeting with Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, the prime minister was briefed on the steps taken by the government to improve Punjab healthcare system and the progress made regarding the launch of the Health Cards Scheme. He was also briefed on Covid vaccination drive and the preventive measures regarding dengue.
The prime minister directed accelerating the pace of work on Mother and Child Hospitals in Mianwali and Attock and mental health initiatives by the government. SAPM on Health Dr Faisal Sultan was also present in the meeting.
Separately, Punjab Governor Ch Sarwar called on Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Chief Minister’s Office here. Various administrative and political issues in Punjab were discussed in the meeting, the PM Office said.
On the request of the Punjab governor, the prime minister gave his nod to make the sub-campus of the Agricultural University of Faisalabad at Toba Tek Singh a university. The governor briefed the prime minister about the meetings he held with the vice presidents of the European Parliament as well as members of the European Parliament during his visit to Europe regarding the extension of GSP Plus status. Prime Minister Imran Khan also appreciated the steps taken by the governor for the extension of GSP Plus status.
The governor said that during his visit to Europe, he met more than 30 members of the European Parliament including four vice presidents of the European Parliament in Brussels, Italy and Hungary. The extension of GSP Plus status for Pakistan, the Afghan peace process, the Kashmir issue, protection of minorities in Pakistan and other important issues came under discussion during those meetings. The members of the European parliament appreciated Pakistan’s measures for the Afghan peace process and protection of minorities.
The governor further told the prime minister that after his successful meetings with members of the European Parliament, he was confident that the decision to extend GSP Plus status would be in favour of Pakistan as the European parliamentarians had commended Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace and assured their full support in GSP plus extension for Pakistan.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the provision of basic amenities including public health and education was the top priority of the government for which federal and Punjab governments were utilising all resources. “All measures are also being taken to curb inflation,” he added.