South Punjab secretariat to become operational from Oct 15

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting during which it was decided that the  South Punjab secretariat will formally become operational on 15th October.

The meeting on establishment and working of South Punjab secretariat was attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar, Finance Minister Punjab, Chief Secretary Punjab, Additional Chief Secretary South Punjab and Additional Inspector General South Punjab joined through video-link.

The prime minister lauded efforts of Chief Minister Buzdar and the Punjab government for the establishment of South Punjab secretariat, stating the steps reflected the government’s will to implement its manifesto in letter and spirit.

He regretted that governments in the past ignored the genuine issue of the people of South Punjab. He said the separate allocation of development funds for South Punjab would usher in a new era of progress and prosperity.

PM Imran Khan directed the authorities to complete process of devolution of power phase-wise to ensure the smooth running of administrative procedures. He instructed authorities to keep him regularly updated on the progress for the working of new secretariat.

Foreign Minister Qureshi highlighted the practical steps taken by the government with regards to the establishment of South Punjab secretariat, devolution of administrative powers and resolving problems.

He said the government had fulfilled its promise to establish South Punjab secretariat. He presented a proposal for allocating budget for South Punjab in next year’s Public Sector Development Programme and reserving a quota for employment.

The meeting informed the prime minister that rules of business of Punjab Government had been amended following the establishment of South Punjab secretariat and 16 secretaries had been deputed in South Punjab.

Health, education, police, planning and development, local government, finance and agriculture had been transferred to South Punjab, while an effective structural organisation has been put in place in the new secretariat  to facilitate the people.