On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his dissatisfaction over the slow pace of development work in Punjab and directed officials to expedite the ongoing projects. The Prime Minister visited the under-construction Lahore Flyover Bridge and the Central Business District (CBD) project near Kalma Chowk to review the progress of the work. During his visit, Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, and Chief Secretary were also present.
During the inspection of the Lahore Flyover Bridge, PM Shehbaz was informed that the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) project worth Rs. 1,712 million was started in 2021, but faced a two-year delay due to the issuance of a no-objection certificate (NOC). The Prime Minister expressed his displeasure over the slow pace of work and the shutdown programme by the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO). He directed the concerned officials to take legal action against the responsible official and gave them a one-month deadline for completion of the project, instead of the previous two-month period.
Furthermore, during his visit to the CBD underpass, PM Shehbaz termed the delay in the project unfair and questioned the hiring of a third-party for validation. He directed for the appointment of a renowned third-party at the cost of the construction company. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of early completion of the project near Kalma Chowk, as it would facilitate the public in general. He ordered the completion of the CBD project within two weeks.
Later, the Prime Minister chaired a meeting on the development projects in Lahore. During the meeting, PM Shehbaz accused the previous government of taking revenge from the people of Punjab for supporting the PML-N. He claimed that the PTI-led government not only failed to launch any new project but also delayed the projects initiated by their government. The Prime Minister also criticized Punjab’s former Chief Minister, Usman Buzdar, calling him an incompetent and puppet chief minister.
The Prime Minister was briefed on various development projects in the province during the meeting. He directed officials to ensure timely completion of all projects and warned against any further delays. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of these projects for the public and said that the government is committed to their completion.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to the ongoing development projects in Punjab and his directions to expedite the work reflect the government’s commitment to the public welfare. The Prime Minister’s strong stance on the issue of delays in development projects and his call for accountability of the responsible officials is a positive step towards ensuring transparency and efficiency in the government’s operations.
