Punjab Cabinet approves different draft laws, projects
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif presided over the Provincial Cabinet meeting, here on Tuesday, in which a number of draft laws and projects were accorded approval.
The cabinet approved launch of Safe City Project for Kasur City along with its start in Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib districts.
In the first phase, Kasur Safe City Project would be completed, while the Safe City Projects in Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib will be started in the second phase.
The meeting also gave approval to the allotment of state-land to landless people of Cholistan under Chief Minister's Cholistan Package and this allotment of the state-land would be extendable.
The drafts of Punjab Women Development Policy, 2017 and Punjab Animal Health Act, 2017 were approved along with approval of the step for declaring negative and positive areas for cement sector in Punjab.
The meeting gave approval to draft of first mineral policy, 2018 of Punjab and the Punjab Cabinet also approved the charter for the establishment of proposed University of Sialkot and Narowal University of Narowal.
Similarly, amendments in Punjab Drugs Rules, 2007 were approved as well.
During the meeting, the performance of DG Punjab Forensic Science Agency and his team was commended by Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and the Punjab Cabinet for matching the DNA test to identify the offender involved in the molestation of Asma in Mardan. It also lauded the efforts of Cabinet Committee on Law and Order for maintaining peace in the province.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister expressed satisfaction that Punjab Forensic Science Agency had solved the mystery of cases of Zainab and Asma who were daughters of the whole nation.
He also congratulated the Punjab Forensic Science Agency and Cabinet Committee on Law and Order for making important headways in both the cases. He said that whole nation was deeply saddened over the cruelty meted out with the innocent girls and Punjab Forensic Science Agency achieved success due to holding of the investigations in a scientific manner.
He said the Punjab government should immediately start Safe City Project in Kasur and the scope of this project would be expanded to Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib. "Time waits for none and therefore, we all will have to perform our duties amicably," he added.
He said that state-land would be given to the eligible landless people in Cholistan in the first phase for agricultural purposes and this land would be extendable.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab Women Development Policy, 2017 would be announced on the occasion of International Women's Day.
He said the Punjab government had tirelessly worked in livestock sector and important changes had been introduced through a revolutionary program.
He said that Punjab was rich in mineral resources. During the era of past dictator, the then Punjab government tried to make a dacoity on the mineral resources of Chiniot, he added, "Our government fought this case for many years and saved the resources from plunder," he said and added, "By the grace of Almighty Allah, the first phase with regard to mineral resources of Chiniot has been successfully completed and work on second phase has been started."
He said that efforts of Provincial Law Minister, Chief Secretary, Chairman P&D, Secretary Imdad Ullah Bosal and Secretary Mines were praiseworthy. Mines department had worked in a wonderful way and set a glorious example, he said and added that such glorious examples gave encouragements and strengthen the passions.
He said that no industry, including the cement plants, could be set up in negative area. The area of Salt Mines was devastated by permitting to set up cement plants there, he said and added that in future, no cement industry could be set up in negative areas.
While directing to constitute a committee comprising of experts and concerned departments for setting up industry in the positive area, the Chief Minister said that this committee should present its TORs within next two weeks. He directed that action be initiated according to the law against the unlawfully extended cement plants. He said that those cement plants who did not comply with the required standards would have to fulfill the criteria.
The meeting also appreciated the performance of Secretary Livestock Naseem Sadiq with regard to the promotion of livestock.
Provincial Ministers, Advisors, Special Assistance, Chief Secretary and others attended the meeting.