Foundation stone will be laid on March 23, says CM

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that foundation stone of Aashiyana Iqbal on Barki Road will be laid on March 23 and houses of 5, 7 and 10 marla will also be constructed there. He was presiding over a meeting regarding Aashiyana Iqbal project on Barki Road, here on Sunday. Chairman Punjab Land Development Company Sheikh Alauddin, chairman planning and development, senior member Board of Revenue, DCO Lahore and other officers concerned were also present on the occasion. PLDC Chief Executive Officer Momin Agha gave a detailed briefing about the project of Aashiyana Iqbal. He said after first Aashiyana Housing Scheme at Saroba Attari, thousands of houses with modern facilities will also be constructed in Aashiyana Iqbal for the poor and common man.
Talking on this occasion, Shahbaz said the Punjab government had realised the dreams of labourers, poor, orphans, widows and hapless people by providing them houses with modern facilities through Aashiyana Housing Schemes. He said tall claims for the welfare of poor were made during the last 64 years but no practical step was taken in this regard.
He directed DCO Lahore to immediately start the construction work of link road for Aashiyana Iqbal besides setting up a police kiosk there. He said as per policy of the Punjab government, this project would also be a unique of its kind regarding transparency and quality.
While directing to release “feed money” of Rs 200 million, he said prequalification of contractors should also be done for this project and such contractors should be selected who have the experience and devotion to work.
Chairman Punjab Land Development Company Sheikh Alauddin informed that work on the extension project of Aashiyana Housing Scheme at Saroba Attari had been started and 40,000 applications had been received for getting houses which reflected the confidence of the people in these schemes.
Earlier, Shahbaz Sharif inspected various parks constructed at Allama Iqbal International Airport. He directed that steps should be taken expeditiously for making the parks adjacent to airport more beautiful. He said maximum fruit trees should be planted in two parks spreading over 117 acres of land adjacent to the airport. PHA Director General Abdul Jabbar Shaheen informed on this occasion that besides 2,000 plants of guava, plants of citrus fruit had also been planted.

‘PM has agreed to hold energy conference in Lahore’

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said the Punjab government is pursuing a comprehensive programme for the promotion of sports. The CM was talking to media men after inaugurating a hockey ground and gymnasium in Model Town on Sunday. Members National and Provincial Assembly Umer Sohail Zia Butt, Naseer Ahmad Bhutta, Zaeem Qadri, Kh Salman Rafique, Pakistan Hockey Federation Chairman Qasim Zia, players and a large number of people were also present on the occasion. Replying to a question, the CM said democracy is the name of furthering the mission of national service, removing the flaws and setting the matters right by learning lesson from mistakes. He said difference of opinion is the beauty of democracy and making public service motto is the basic principle of democracy. He said energy crisis was discussed with the prime minister during the recent meeting of Council of Common Interest. The prime minister agreed with him for holding an energy conference in Lahore, he added. He expressed his hope that the prime minister would announce solid steps in the conference for overcoming the energy crises. President of Pakistan Hockey Federation Qasim Zia said the chief minister was taking personal interest in the promotion of sports particularly hockey. The chief minister also inaugurated Ittefaq Sports Complex in Model Town. He also distributed prizes among players in hockey ground and watched a hockey match. Later, he inaugurated gymnasium equipped with modern facilities.