CM for providing facilities to tourists
Source: OUR STAFF REPROTER July 25, 2008 LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday gave instructions for immediate measures and early completion of the proposed projects for providing better facilities to the tourists at Murree, removal of encroachments, repair of streetlights and roads as well as construction of parking plazas at two entry points into Murree, said a handout issued here on Thursday.
He was presiding over a meeting, which reviewed development projects for Murree. General Secretary Muslim League -N Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, DCO Rawalpindi Jamal Mustafa Syed, CPO Rawalpindi DIG Rao Muhammad Iqbal, DDOR Murree and officers of concerned departments were also present.
Raja Ashfaq Sarwar gave a briefing about construction of a cricket stadium in Murree and problems of local people.
The Chief Minister said that in order to resolve traffic problems of the city, parking plazas would be constructed at general bus stand and Jhika Gali from where a special shuttle bus service would be started for the transportation of the tourists.
He said that no vehicle would be allowed parking in the city except in personal garage. He ordered construction of a high standard cricket stadium in Bhurban within three months and said that he would inaugurate the new stadium on October 12.
The Chief Minister further said that a one-day match would be arranged on this occasion between two best teams of Murree. For this, he directed Raja Ashfaq Sarwar to select local teams for this purpose.
He also constituted a special committee comprising Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, DCO Rawalpindi, RM and DDOR Murree for the early completion of the project. The committee will review practical progress towards implementation of the project of cricket stadium after every ten days.
Shahbaz Sharif ordered registration of cases in anti-corruption rather than departmental enquiry against officers allegedly involved in undue delay and corruption in the project of cricket stadium. The Chief Minister also ordered setting up of toll barriers on Pearl Continental, Bhurban, Link Road where Rs 200 would be charged from each vehicle and the money generated would be spent on the projects for beautification of the city, adding that the local population would be exempted from this tax.
He took strict notice of delay in action against illegal encroachments and construction of roads at Murree and warned that no laxity would be tolerated in future.
The Chief Minsiter said that Murree was a beautiful tourist site of Pakistan and stern action would be taken against the officials who were found responsible for causing delay in the provision of facilities to the tourists. He further directed to ensure strict implementation of the orders regarding exemption of the city from load-shedding.
He directed CPO Rawalpindi Rao Muhammad Iqbal that traffic should not be halted on his arrival so that people should not face inconvenience. He also ordered for betterment of traffic management system so that traffic jams could be avoided. He ordered the CPO to personally ensure implementation of these instructions.
Rao Muhammad Iqbal informed that 300 officials had been deputed for traffic regulation in Murree. During inspection of construction work of road, the Chief Minister directed installation of iron grills on drain lines along the roads. He was informed that 50,000 saplings have been planted in Murree. The CM directed survey committee to review tree plantation in the area and submit him a report as soon as possible.