Sindh Transport Minister SharjeeL Inam Memon shares photos of double-decker buses that landed at Karachi port. PHOTO: X
LAHORE:
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) to regulate liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices across the province.
Chairing a meeting, the prime minister also called for a report within 24 hours to determine per kilometer transport rates and directed relevant officials to consider launching free transport in 17 districts where public transport is not available.
During the meeting, the impact of global oil prices on transportation rates was reviewed and a detailed report was presented.
Prices of 23 essential food items, including onions, tomatoes, potatoes, bananas and pulses, were also revised in all districts.
Officials said flour prices in Punjab were lower compared to those in Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
They said pulses, fruits and vegetables were also cheaper in Punjab as there were sufficient stocks of lentils and grams available.
The prime minister urged citizens to avoid buying items sold above officially notified prices and ordered strict measures against hoarding of essential commodities.
She directed the assistant commissioners to conduct surveys of ponds and other water bodies in each area and directed the commissioners to submit daily reports on them with photographs.
Orders were also given to ensure safety measures for ponds in each union council.
The CM emphasized focus on tree plantation, dog bite prevention, zebra crossings, street lighting, green belts and other key performance indicators (KPIs).
He also ordered the resumption of a cleanliness drive in graveyards under the Suthra Punjab programme.
Expressing displeasure over the cleanup situation in Jhang, he ordered complete cleanup of selected union councils within 24 hours.
A detailed review of beautification and improvement projects was conducted in all districts, including photographic inspections. The CM directed all these projects to be completed by June and emphasized on maintaining their quality thereafter. Projects from several cities including Attock, Rahim Yar Khan and Faisalabad were reviewed. The CM appreciated the quality of work at Attock. He also appreciated the improvements in the Clock Tower area in Faisalabad, particularly the removal of road drains and electric cables.
The Prime Minister expressed concern about deaths caused by open drainage systems and stated that the presence of unsafe ponds will be considered an administrative offence.
He expressed his dissatisfaction with complaints about the accumulation of garbage in different cities, calling it unacceptable.
The objectives of Suthra Punjab program were also discussed in detail in the meeting.
It was decided to introduce artificial intelligence-based tracking systems, including digital mapping for real-time tracking of sanitation workers in each union council. A new AI-based reporting system called Suthra Punjab Hero will be launched, along with a pilot project for AI-based waste detection vehicles.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered improved sanitation across the province and warned that piles of garbage in cities were unacceptable.
He also gave the relevant authorities a two-week period to improve cleanliness in the province.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz reaffirmed her commitment to provide the best possible healthcare and treatment facilities to the people across the province on World Health Day.
