Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has said that instructions have been issued to police and administration for strict compliance of coronavirus SOPs and made it clear that commercial areas and business houses will have to follow government instructions.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, he reiterated that legal action will be initiated in case of any violation and implementation on government measures will be ensured.
He emphasized that no one will be allowed to take any unlawful benefit of easing of lockdown. Everyone will have to show responsibility, he added.
The CM stated that decisions are being made in consultation with all the stakeholders and under the guidance of the federal government. The people should follow government instructions in letter and spirit because it is their own interest, he said.
Continuation of employment generation activities is imperative, as well as observation of SOPs and people can protect themselves by maintaining social distancing and following the policy of care, the CM added.
Punjab Chief Minister has assigned Asif Mehmood, Advisor on Tourism and Parks & Horticulture Authority with new responsibilities.
In a notification issued by Chief Minister’s Office it was directed that in future all summaries/files shall be routed through Asif Mehmood.
“The order will be enforced with immediate effect so that he may add his input for improved working of these organizations” the notification read. Meanwhile the Advisor to CM Asif Mehmood said that the Punjab government gives tremendous importance to promotion of tourism.
“Decision taken by the chief minister will help making important decisions and legislation on tourism and PHAs easy” he said.
The CM also chaired a meeting of the resource mobilization committee at his office to review different proposals for enhancing the provincial resources. The CM constituted a committee under Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan to submit a comprehensive plan for enhancing the provincial resources.
Addressing the participants, the CM maintained the province is going through unusual circumstances due to coronavirus pandemic.
The government will not burden the poor segments of the society as protection of the interests of the underprivileged is the pivot of our policies, he emphasised. He assured welfare of the impecunious strata will be fully taken care of in the upcoming budget.
The CM directed to take innovative steps for increasing the provincial resources and steps should be proposed while keeping in view the difficulties and needs of the common man.
He asked the line departments to devise a comprehensive strategy for achieving their targets and every effort should be made to provide relief to the masses.
Punjab is full of resources and there is a need to strengthen the economy by utilizing them, he said. Attention should be paid to new steps to increase the financial resources of the province, he continued and added that revival of economic activities will help generate new employment opportunities.
Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, provincial ministers Mian Mahmood-ul-Rasheed, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Mohsin Leghari, Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan, Hafiz Mumtaz Ahmed, Advisor Dr Salman Shah, Chief Secretary and secretaries of the concerned departments attended the meeting. Finance Minister Hashim Jawan Bakht participated through video link.
“The order will be enforced with immediate effect so that he may add his input for improved working of these organizations” the notification read. Meanwhile the Advisor to CM Asif Mehmood said that the Punjab government gives tremendous importance to promotion of tourism.
“Decision taken by the chief minister will help making important decisions and legislation on tourism and PHAs easy” he said.
Saturday, August 16, 2025
