DG NAB Lahore hears public complaints at monthly open court

Multan Commissioner Aamir Karim Khan has said the Punjab government is taking a keen interest in the development of Multan and other parts of southern Punjab, stressing that the government, administration, business community and journalists must work together to address public issues and promote regional development. He made these remarks while speaking to journalists during a session titled “Guftagu” at the Multan Press Club. He also responded to questions regarding development projects, civic problems and other issues faced by citizens. The commissioner said the responsibility of government officers was not limited to sitting in offices. Officials must visit the field, assess public problems and take practical steps to resolve them. He said public service required officials to move beyond their comfort zones and remain connected with citizens. Aamir Karim Khan appreciated the Punjab government’s focus on Multan and southern Punjab, saying several major development projects were currently underway in the city. He stressed that timely availability of funds, proper engineering designs and other technical requirements were essential for completing development schemes. He said major sewerage projects in Multan were particularly important for the city and would provide significant relief to residents once completed. Work was also continuing on several major roads and development schemes, although some projects had faced delays because of land acquisition and other legal and administrative procedures. The commissioner said projects in areas including Eidgah Road and Shah Shams Park were being completed in phases. He added that a proposal worth around Rs6 billion had been sent to the Punjab government for improving roads from Delhi Gate to Daulat Gate and removing encroachments. Work on the project would begin once funds were made available. He said the preservation of Multan’s historic heritage, improvement of ancient gates and beautification of the city were among the administration’s priorities, along with the provision of basic civic facilities. He said action against encroachments on graveyards was continuing. Encroachments had been removed from a graveyard in Hassan Parwana, while similar operations would be carried out at other graveyards. The administration was also considering the renovation of smaller graveyards and provision of basic facilities there. The commissioner said a “Multan Enforcement Management Squad” had been established to tackle encroachments. The squad comprises officials from different departments and has been provided with motorcycles. It will monitor the city around the clock and identify encroachments. Its formal operations will begin on September 1. If the initiative proves successful, it will be expanded to other areas. Speaking about special education, Aamir Karim Khan said nearly 3,000 hearing-impaired children had been screened across 14 tehsils of the Multan Division. Around 320 children were identified as requiring hearing devices. With support from the business community, hearing aids had already been provided to 175 children. He said efforts were also underway to improve the speaking abilities of these children. The commissioner added that the Punjab government had been requested to introduce legislation making hearing screening mandatory for every child within six months of birth. Early diagnosis, he said, could significantly improve children’s education and future prospects. Regarding Jalalpur Public School, the commissioner said authorities had taken notice of the low number of students and were working with relevant departments to improve its functioning. He said the Punjab government was also working on a new public-private partnership scheme under which inactive government schools could be handed over to the private sector for better management. Aamir Karim Khan highlighted the important role of journalists in resolving civic problems. He urged journalists to use their observation, reporting and writing skills to identify public issues and contribute to social improvement. He said constructive criticism and highlighting genuine problems could help guide the administration. He also said direct communication with journalists would be strengthened so their concerns could be addressed more effectively. On cleanliness, the commissioner said maintaining a clean environment was a shared responsibility of the government and citizens. He urged shopkeepers to keep areas outside their businesses clean and residents to ensure cleanliness around their homes. During the meeting, Press Club President Shakeel Anjum briefed the commissioner about issues faced by the journalist community, particularly problems concerning the journalists’ colony. He stressed the need for their early resolution. The commissioner assured the journalists that he would contact the Director General of the Multan Development Authority regarding the issues and take steps for further progress. He said genuine concerns of the journalist community would be addressed on a priority basis. Aamir Karim Khan also answered journalists’ questions on various issues and assured them that practical measures would be taken to resolve public problems. He said the development of Multan was a collective responsibility and all stakeholders would have to work together to achieve this goal.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf has reiterated his demand for the creation of a separate Hazara province, saying there is broad political consensus on the issue and that administrative reforms are essential to improve governance and public service delivery. Addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad alongside Senator Talha Mahmood, the minister said the movement for Hazara province began in 2010 and has remained a longstanding demand of the region’s people. He said seven young people sacrificed their lives during the movement, adding that their contributions would always be remembered. According to the minister, people from different political parties have consistently supported the establishment of Hazara as a separate province. Sardar Yousaf noted that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has passed constitutional resolutions in support of Hazara province on three occasions—in 2014, 2018, and 2020. He added that bills seeking the creation of the new province have also been introduced in both the National Assembly and the Senate and have been referred to the relevant standing committees on law and justice. The minister said the creation of new administrative units has become a necessity in view of Pakistan’s growing population, which now exceeds 250 million. He argued that additional provinces would improve governance, revenue collection, and the implementation of development projects. He stressed that the demand for Hazara province is not linked to any single political party but represents a united movement supported by people from all walks of life, including political leaders, lawyers, journalists, students, traders, and religious scholars. Sardar Yousaf said several national political leaders have publicly expressed support for the Hazara province during visits to the region and public gatherings. He maintained that smaller administrative units would bring government services closer to the people, help address public issues more effectively, and strengthen the federation. He also paid tribute to those who lost their lives during the Hazara province movement, noting that Hazara Martyrs’ Day is observed every year on April 12 in their memory.