Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Monday took notice of the lack of interest of the provincial ministers in the parliamentary affairs, reported 24News HD TV channel.

The provincial law and parliamentary affairs minister told the CM about the sluggish behavior of the ministers. The CM ordered the provincial ministers to make sure of their attendance in the parliamentary meetings.   

The absence of the ministers from meetings affects parliamentary affairs. The usual business of the government gets delayed for months due to the absence of the ministers. It also provides an opportunity for criticism to the opposition.

60 days remission for convicts

Punjab Chief Minister has also approved a special remission of 60 days in the sentences of convicts on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. This will facilitate hundreds of prisoners, incarcerated in various jails, to celebrate the happy Eid occasion with their loved ones.

In this regard, the CM also asserted the government's commitment to reform the archaic Jail Manual, according to emerging needs, to bring ease to the lives of inmates adding that the Punjab government is committed to protecting the fundamental rights of the detainees.

Meeting to identify next ADP priorities

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar also chaired a video-link meeting at his office to map out the annual development program's priorities for the financial year 2021-22. The meeting expounded suggestions to include Punjab-based mega development projects in the public sector development program.

Federal Energy Minister Hammad Azhar, Provincial Finance Minister Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht, P&D chairman and others attended the meeting while Federal P&D Minister Asad Umar, Federal Industries Minister Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission and NHA chairman participated through video-link.

Addressing the meeting, CM disclosed the social sector development will be prioritised in the next ADP. The regional needs will be prioritized in development schemes as a separate development package has been devised for every district in consultation with the respective MNAs and MPAs, he added. A balanced package has been devised for PSDF by identifying local needs, he further said.

The CM apprised that the projects worth billions of rupees are being started under public-private partnership to provide more facilities to the masses by expediting the composite economic development process.

Every area in Punjab will be provided with its rights and new projects are also being started along with timely completion of ongoing schemes, the CM concluded.

Federal ministers Asad Umar, Hammad Azhar and Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar presented proposals for the next ADP and the participants agreed to further promote synergy between the Planning Commission and the Punjab government.