RAWALPINDI: Punjab transport minister Bilal Akbar Khan on Monday asked lawmakers to help their constituents register for the Punjab government’s aid programmes, including the Ramazan Package, to realise the potential of these initiatives.

During a meeting at the Commissioner’s office to review the performance of the government departments, the minister said he had been entrusted by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to oversee coordination among stakeholders in Rawalpindi Division to provide relief to the public.

Public representatives and divisional heads participated in the meeting, which was briefed by Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema, and Regional Police Officer Babar Sarfraz Alpa regarding the divisional performance.

Speaking on the occasion, Bilal Akbar Khan said that the Punjab CM said that joint efforts of parliamentarians and administrative officers would lead to public relief. “We will try to bring regional policies after mutual consultation.

Regional policies will be made keeping in mind the local problems and needs,” he added.

Sharing details about the initiatives, the provincial minister said the government was about to launch a solar panel project in the energy sector, so public representatives should inform the people about its registration process.

He claimed that 32 new field hospitals had been added to the healthcare system over the past 100 days, adding that up to 35,000 people were getting free treatment in the remote areas of Punjab daily.

In order to resolve the traffic problems, he said e-buses would be procured. “Electric buses have been ordered to solve the transport problems of Rawalpindi.

78 e-buses will be operated on six routes, including Taxila-Wah Cantt, IJ Principal Road to Chungi No. 26, and Daultala to Rawalpindi,” he said. Mr Khan said that the government’s target was to transform 150 bus stands into model bus stands within one year.

He said that every institution in Punjab will provide services to the public on their doorstep through the Dastak mobile application.

‘Maryam Ke Dastak’ offers services such as domicile certificates, FIR copies, birth certificates, learner’s driving licences, and e-stamping through the ‘Dastak Doorstep Delivery App’ and web portal.

During the briefing by RPO Rawalpindi, it was informed that the crime rate in Rawalpindi has reduced significantly.

According to the latest data, there has been a 24 per cent decline in property dispute cases in Rawalpindi, a 29 per cent decline in robbery cases, and a 52pc decline in theft cases. Similarly, the cases of car theft have reduced by 27pc.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema, while giving a briefing on the progress made on the special initiatives of the chief minister in the district, said that 553 students have benefited from the Chief Minister Internship Programme so far.

In the first phase of school outsourcing, 256 educational institutions have been outsourced, the deputy commissioner added.

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2025

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