LAHORE: Despite tall claims of austerity drive, the Punjab cabinet’s standing committee is reported to have approved nearly Rs 88 million to upgrade the helipad used by prime minister Shehbaz Sharif at his Model Town residence in Lahore.
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According to a report published today, the amount of Rs. 88 million will be transferred from a block allocation of the home department into the Asaan Assignment Account of the Lahore Deputy Commissioner DC), pending completion of all legal and regulatory requirements.
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According to a senior official who attended the meeting and was quoted in the report, the SCCLO received a briefing on the subject at its 26th meeting, which was conducted on January 13, 2023, during Parvez Elahi’s tenure. The upgrade cost for the helipad was authorised during the meeting and will be paid for “in principle” from a block allocation of the home department.
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“In the January 13 meeting, it was decided that the deputy commissioner Lahore will share the cost estimate, received from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), with the home department,” the report quoted senior official as saying.
The report said that in the 2nd meeting of the caretaker SCCLO on 22 March 2023, the rough cost estimate of pavement, generators and control room, lighting system and civil works for the helipad – amounting to Rs 87.344 million – was shared by the deputy commissioner. The amount was thereafter approved by the SCCLO.
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