LAHORE: Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Dr Hasan Askari on Wednesday visited the rain-affected Lawrence Road, Lakshmi Chowk and GPO Chowk areas without any protocol. He inspected WASA emergency monsoon camps set up on Lawrence Road and Lakshmi Chowk where he was briefed about water disposal arrangements.
On the occasion, he said that administration, WASA and other agencies had ensured early disposal of water despite heavy rains and performance of administrative officers and other agencies in this regard was commendable.
“I have personally monitored the water disposal activities and reports have also been presented to me about it. I appreciate the performance of the district administration and WASA for what I have practically examined,” he said.
Speaking to media representatives during his visit to Lakshmi Chowk, the chief minister said that a 38-year-old record of rainfall had been broken in Lahore and due to it; water was accumulated on different roads.
“However, line departments worked as a team to deal with this challenge,” he said.
To a question, he said that cabinet committee for flood was constituted with provincial minister Zafar Mehmood in chair. “This committee is a permanent body and has also held its meetings. It was prepared to deal with rains and possible floods. However, torrential rains are beyond human expectations.
Separately, the chief minister congratulated National Cricket team for its victory against Zimbabwe in a T20 match.
Lauding the players’ performance, he said that Pakistani players displayed excellent performance in the field with passion, determination and hard work.
“Success in first match of the tri-series is the result of teamwork and untiring struggle of the players,” he said.
The interim chief minister also hoped that national players would exhibit same performance with more zeal and zest to stand victorious in the upcoming matches.
Earlier, Punjab Caretaker Minister for Food, Agriculture and Planning & Development Sardar Tanvir Ilyas called on Dr Hasan Askari and informed him about different departmental matters.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that hygienic food kept the people safe from diseases and added that provision of safe and healthy food items to the citizens was the responsibility of the government.
Archives dept briefs caretaker minister:
Meanwhile, Punjab Archives Department on Wednesday gave a detailed briefing to provincial minister Ahmed Waqas Riaz. Senior officers gave a presentation and informed the caretaker minister about different sections of the department, working to preserve the records and history of Punjab.
The caretaker minister, at the occasion, directed the officers that all affairs of the department should be run smoothly and rules and regulations must be followed in this regard.
He said that as per directions of the Punjab chief minister, it was the duty of every officer to discharge his or her duties for the government without any pressure or affiliation and same code of conduct would be observed in the archives department.
