Latest news with #ZeeshanRafiq
Business Recorder
12-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Suthra Punjab programme: Workers to come under CM's ration card programme
LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to extend the scope of the Chief Minister's ration card to workers of the Suthra Punjab programme. This decision was taken during a meeting that was chaired by Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq here on Friday. Punjab Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian and Additional Secretary Ahmer Kaifi were present, while CEOs of waste management companies across the province participated through a video link. While addressing the meeting, the Minister pledged to continue taking steps at the government level for the betterment of workers of the Suthra Punjab programme, saying that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered the creation of a solid mechanism for the welfare of workers. 'All the CEOs should send the lists of eligible workers for issuance of cards as soon as possible,' he directed. He made it clear that the facility of the ration card will be available only to workers who fulfil the eligibility criteria. He directed the CEOs to compile a record of the attendance of the workers from the month of May, adding that the hardworking workers are their precious asset. 'We will take every possible care of the workers and their families,' he added. On this occasion, the Secretary directed the CEOs to compile a record of the workers at the tehsil level, adding that the ration cards will be issued as soon as the lists of the workers are complete. 'The local government department has also issued a directive in this regard,' he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
05-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
First phase of PDP: PC-1 submission begins, 21 cities prioritised
LAHORE: Submission of PC-1 of development schemes in various cities under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's Punjab Development Program (PDP) has begun and 21 cities have been included in the priority list in the first phase of PDP. This was disclosed during a meeting chaired by Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq on Friday. Special Secretary Arshad Baig and Additional Secretary Ahmer Kaifi attended the meeting while Syed Zahid Aziz, Managing Director of Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC), was also present. While addressing the meeting, the Minister said that PC-1s of five cities including Gujrat, Daska, Layyah, Attock and Nankana Sahib, have been submitted, while PC-1s of Khanewal and Wazirabad cities are in the final stages. He further said that PC-1s of development works in 14 more cities will be submitted during July; these cities include Kamoke, Vehari, Muridke, Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, Bahawalnagar, Bhakkar, Burewala, Gojra, Jaranwala, Kamalia, Kot Addu, Lodhran and Sheikhupura. He noted that PDP is a unique and comprehensive project of this government which includes schemes of sewerage, rainwater drainage, and paving of streets. 'In addition, there will be work on building rainwater storage tanks and rehabilitating parks,' he added. He also said that every small and big city will be brought under the purview of the PDP in a phased manner. 'The PMDFC and PMU will monitor the projects while the steering committee at the provincial level monitors all the issues,' he added. He urged the officials present in the meeting to implement the instructions issued by the steering committee, adding that the money saved from any scheme would be invested in another city. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab plans uniform development under CM's vision
LAHORE: Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq has said that planning has been done for the work on the Punjab Development Programme as per the Chief Minister's vision of uniform development in all areas. He expressed these views while chairing a meeting held on Tuesday to review the progress on the Punjab Development Programme (PDP). Special Secretary Arshad Baig and Additional Secretary Ahmer Kaifi attended the meeting while Syed Zahid Aziz, Managing Director of Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC), gave a briefing on the development made so far. On this occasion, the Minister directed the implementation of PC-1 as per the guidelines issued to PMDFC, saying all possible steps are being taken for the early start of the project. He urged that work should be done on the lines of the Lahore Development Programme (LDP) and it should be adopted as a model. 'The completion of the project will meet the needs of the cities for the next 25 years,' he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
100,000 sanitary workers to get reward money
LAHORE: Reward money announced by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz will be distributed among more than 100,000 workers of the Suthra Punjab Programme on June 21 (today) for their performance during the grand operation on Eid-ul-Azha. In this regard, a ceremony will be held at the tehsil level across Punjab in which the workers will be invited. This decision was taken during a meeting that was chaired by Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq on Friday. Punjab Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Special Secretary Asia Gul, Additional Secretary Ahmer Kaifi, Deputy Commissioners and chief officers of municipal bodies were also present. The Minister said that instead of calling all the workers on the same day, if necessary, the reward money can be distributed among the remaining people on the next day. He said the Chief Minister had announced the reward of Rs 10,000 each for over 100,000 workers who worked hard and with commitment during the hot weather on the Eid days. 'The workers worked hard during the scorching sun, and thus we saw exemplary cleanliness on Eid-ul-Azha. Hence, the Punjab government announced the reward to recognise the hard work put in by the workers,' he added. He directed the officials concerned to invite elected representatives to the ceremonies, observing that public representatives also played a full role in the awareness campaign during the grand operation. On this occasion, the Secretary said that bank drafts will be transparently given to the workers, adding that no worker of the Clean Punjab Programme should be deprived of the prize money. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Rs40bn uplift plans for Bahawalpur division approved
LAHORE: The Punjab Local Government and Community Development Department has approved development schemes worth over Rs 40 billion for four cities in Bahawalpur division which include Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar and Hasilpur. In this regard, Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq chaired a meeting; Punjab Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Special Secretary Asia Gul and Additional Secretary Ahmer Kaifi were present in the meeting while the Commissioner Bahawal-pur, concerned deputy commissioners and municipal officers participated through a video link. While addressing the meeting, the Minister said that under the supervision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, continuous progress is being made in the Punjab Cities Development Programme. He urged the deputy commissioners to pay special attention to the master planning of the cities; 'the deputy commissioners will be responsible for completing the projects under the Punjab Cities Development Progra-mme,' he added. He further said that under this mega project, not only will the existing infrastructure be restored in the cities, but it will also be further expanded. 'Programme Implemen-tation Units (PIUs) will be formed to ensure quality work in each scheme, while Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC) will be responsible for third-party validation,' he added. He added that special attention should be paid to the construction of parks, street lights and rainwater storage tanks. He also directed the officials to review the cantonment areas of Bahawalpur, stressing if there is any dirt road or broken road in the cantonment, it should also be taken into consideration. During the meeting, it was decided to increase the capacity and number of disposal stations in Bahawalpur city. The Minister, while directing the deputy commissioner to review PC-1 for Rahim Yar Khan, said that all disposal stations in every city will be shifted to solar energy. 'It is gratifying that solarisation in Bahawalpur alone will save about Rs 20 million on monthly electricity bills. With an annual saving of Rs 240 million, many more civic amenities can be provided,' he observed. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
