LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said that a good traffic management system represents a civilised society, therefore, the traffic system would have to change through an effective traffic management and traffic re-engineering, and implementation of traffic rules should be ensured.
He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting of the Steering Committee constituted to review recommendations and suggestions to improve traffic system of mega cities of Punjab including Lahore.
Provincial Minister Jehangir Khanzada, Special Adviser Malik Ahmed Khan, Parliamentarians Mian Margoob Ahmed, Mian Naseer Ahmed, Waheed Gul, Dr Umer Saif, the chief secretary, inspector general police and secretaries and senior officers of the departments concerned were also present on the occasion.
He said that the final recommendations on the traffic management will be presented after reviewing existing traffic rules and there would an increase in the imposition of fine on traffic violations. He ordered the authorities concerned to take immediate measures to declare five thoroughfares of Lahore model roads, and ensure the smooth traffic follow on The Mall as well and to not tolerate one-wheeling.
The chief minister said that resolving the traffic problems is the priority of the government and for this purpose, practical steps have been taken to provide relief to the people. He said officials and wardens of the traffic police play vital role in improving traffic system, therefore, they should work with dedication and honesty, and no negligence on their part will be tolerated.
He said Ferozpur Road, Jail Road, Allama Iqbal Road, Main Gulberg Road and Peco Road will be declared model roads and smooth traffic follow will be ensured on these roads by implementing an effective traffic management system and ordered to remove the encroachments and a planning of comprehensive parking system.
Sharif said traffic flow and other related matters will be monitored with the support of the information technology.
He said the standard of study material on traffic system in the curriculum should be improved and questions on the pattern of dengue awareness should be included in the exams. He said those who will show best performance in the traffic management will be encouraged and those who will neglect their duties will be held accountable.
The provision of buses to educational institutions should be finalised and the Steering Committee will take decisions on the matter on its own, he added.
He advised all the departments to rise from slumber and make their best efforts to resolve traffic problems.
Anti-Terrorism Minister Ayub calls on CM
Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said that there is no space for terrorism, extremism and sectarianism in Pakistan and all-out efforts would be made for the development, prosperity and peace in the country.
He expressed these view in a meeting with Punjab Minister for Anti-terrorism Muhammad Ayub to discuss the matters relating to terrorism, extremism and sectarianism.
He said that the provincial government has made effective legislation to counter terrorism, extremism and sectarianism in the light of the National Action Plan (NAP).
The chief minister said that a significant decline in the incidents of terrorism and sectarianism has been reported due to effective measures were taken under the NAP and elimination of terrorism is the government’s goal.
He appreciated the role of all the departments in a war against terrorism.
The sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in a war against terrorism are matchless and those who laid down their lives are the heroes of the nation and their sacrifices will not go to waste, he concluded.