LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday directed the authorities concerned to complete the Bhatta Chowk Extension Project until May 10 for ensuring smooth traffic flow.
Shahbaz visited the site of the Bhatta Chowk Extension Project and reviewed the pace of implementation of the Aashiyana Housing Scheme at Saroba Atari. The Punjab CM said that the Aashiyana Housing Scheme is an excellent project under which modern residential facilities will be available to the common man on the pattern of housing schemes for the elite.
He said that the Aashiyana Housing Scheme was being developed on expensive land nearest to cities and after the scheme’s completion in Lahore, such schemes will also be started in Jhelum, Sargodha, Sahiwal and Faisalabad and the scheme will be extended to the whole province as well.
Shahbaz directed the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) director general to evolve a plan to develop an eye-catching park in the Aashiyana Housing Scheme. He said that people are facing serious problems due to load of traffic at Bhatta Chowk and there are frequent traffic jams. Taking notice of the dilapidated condition of Bedian Road, the Punjab CM issued instructions for evolving a project for its improvement.
Earlier, the Lahore commissioner gave a detailed briefing regarding the pace of implementation of the Bhatta Chowk Extension Project. Separately, Shahbaz chaired a meeting to consider various measures and proposals to increase cotton production in the province. Punjab Agriculture Secretary Captain (r) Arif Nadeem gave a detailed briefing regarding increase in cotton production.
Describing the briefing given by the agriculture secretary as comprehensive, the CM said that Pakistan is an agrarian country and agriculture is the backbone of its economy. He said that increase in cotton production could not only help meet local needs but huge foreign exchange could also be earned through its export. Shahbaz said that high-quality seed and modern technology is of vital importance to increase cotton production.
He said that Monsanto and other companies should be contacted to acquire modern technology and an effective strategy be evolved in this regard. Also on Sunday, the CM chaired a meeting to review agriculture marketing reforms. The Punjab agriculture secretary gave a briefing about the proposed reforms.
Participants of the meeting also gave their proposals and suggestions regarding agriculture marketing reforms.
