LAHORE: Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated River Ravi Urban Development Authority project here at Shahdara area on Friday.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, the Prime Minister said that the government will spend Rs5 trillion on the “most modern city” project. He said that the new city equipped with latest facilities will be established near Lahore.
The Prime Minister said that millions of trees will also be planted in the city to protect the environment. Alluding to the problems faced by Lahore due to unplanned settlements, the Prime Minister said vertical buildings will be constructed in the new city in order to ensure that basic amenities reach every person. He said that they will have to take measures to avoid a Karachi-like situation in Lahore.
The Prime Minister said that it is the second biggest project after Islamabad which will create job opportunities. “It is the best opportunity for 9 million overseas Pakistanis to invest in the mega project,” he added.
The Prime Minister said incentives have been given to the construction sector and Naya Pakistan Housing Project and promotion of the construction sector will also support 40 other allied industries. He said, “It is our utmost effort to kick start work on the new city project at the earliest.”
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan is on the tipping point to be taken forward on the path of progress and development. He said there will also be investment from the private sector in it. The Prime Minister said, “It is our utmost effort to kick start work on the new city project at the earliest.”
Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said that authority has been formulated for this project. He said that after Islamabad it will be the second planned city of Pakistan.
He said that three barrages will be constructed for storing 585,000 cusec water. He said that storage of water will improve the level of underground water in Lahore.
Setting up a lake will also help to improve the ecosystem. He further maintained that green zones would be established for dealing with hydro and environmental pollution according to the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan. He said that 6 million plants would be planted. He said that 1.8 million residential units in Ravi River Front Urban Development Project will provide modern residential facilities to the people.
He said that Ravi River Front Urban Development Project authority’s Act has been passed. The chairman of authority has been appointed and the board of the authority has been completed.
He said that it is the mega project in the history of Pakistan. This project is a challenge which has been accepted by the PTI government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
He said that no former governments have dared accept this challenge. No one will be allowed to create hurdles in this project. This project is accelerating the economic activities, besides creating new job opportunities and promoting local industry, he concluded.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the federal government will extend all-out cooperation to promote industrial and business sectors in the country.
Talking to the members of National Assembly from Faisalabad here on Friday, the Prime Minister said that the government will provide all possible facilities to industries and businesses.
The Prime Minister said that incentives to the business and construction sectors will ensure development in the country. He said the steps are being taken for welfare of small and medium enterprises. He said Faisalabad has a vital importance in respect of industrial growth and production.
The delegation praised the government strategy in the face of COVID-19 which resulted in significant decline in coronavirus infection. They also thanked the Prime Minister for opening business activities across the country.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has asked the civil servants to work on merit and serve the masses.
The Prime Minister was addressing the civil officers of Punjab including secretaries, commissioners, deputy commissioners, regional police officers via video link on Friday.
The Prime Minister assured the bureaucracy that there will be no political pressure on them. Emphasizing the need for improving the performance of departments, the Prime Minister said that improvement in governance is imperative for the development of the country.
Highlighting the significance of the construction sector for economic development and job creation, Imran Khan expressed the confidence that the civil officers will play a pivotal role in promotion of this important sector. He said that rule of law, protecting the weak segments of the society and promotion of education were hallmarks of the State of Medina. He commended the concrete steps taken by the Punjab administration during COVID-19.
The Prime Minister stressed that a capable bureaucracy has an important role for economic development of the country. The appointments in bureaucracy and other posts have been made on merit, said the Prime Minister, adding the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government has freed officers from any political interference.
The Premier further said there is a need to improve governance and law and order in Punjab. “We have to change the old mind set in Naya Pakistan as the old system can no longer work.” He added that efforts should be expedited to bring improvement in the lives of poor people.
The Prime Minister said the police department enjoys legal authority but this power should only be used to serve the masses and bring improvement in the lives of the people. – TLTP