SHEIKHUPURA/NAROWAL: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has approved recruitment of 10,000 constables against vacant slots in Punjab and construction of 45 new police stations.

He made the announcement during an unscheduled visit to Sheikhupura on Friday. He said 5,000 constables would be recruited during the current fiscal year and rest in the next.

Mr Buzdar said police had played an exemplary role during the coronavirus outbreak and were discharging duty wholeheartedly. He lauded the role of police in safeguarding the lives and properties of the people and controlling crime. After landing in Sheikhupura, Buzdar visited the Ehsas Kafalat Centre set up in a school building where people had gathered to receive Rs12,000 each. He talked to some of the recipients who expressed satisfaction over the government move.

Talking to media in the DC office, he urged people to follow instructions to fight coronavirus.

In Narowal, he visited an Ehsaas Kafalat Centre at a the Govt High School. Deputy Commissioner Shahid Zaman told the CM that financial assistance was being disbursed under official SOPs. Meanwhile, the Punjab Standing Committee on Finance and Development approved the recruitment of 10,000 constables.

PBM: Pakistan Baitul Maal (PBM) Managing Director Aun Abbas Buppi called on CM Buzdar in his office in Lahore and told him that PBM was working to serve the daily wagers in the wake of the pandemic.

The CM said proper coordination among federal and provincial departments could result in more relief for the people.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2020