BAHAWALPUR: Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has declared Bahawalpur a tourist/green city.

The Punjab government issued a notification in pursuance of a decision taken by the chief minister during the first Punjab cabinet meeting here on Dec 29, 2018.

This was revealed by Divisional Commissioner Nayyar Iqbal, who has also been notified as secretary of a seven-member steering committee to prepare a feasibility report in this respect.

The steering committee will be headed by Chairman Habib Gilani as convener of the provincial planning and development board, while the committee’s members will be secretaries of the departments of youth affairs, sports, archaeology and tourism; environment; forest; services and general administration; and the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab managing director.

The commissioner told Dawn that the salient features of the pre-feasibility/concept paper prepared by the youth affairs, sports and tourism department included proposals for the upkeep of existing heritage sites Nur Mahal, Darbar Mahal and Gulzar Mahal and opening them for the general public; completion of the main hall of Bahawalpur museum and promotion of potential tourist spots adjacent to Bahawalpur city.

The concept paper included recommendation for desert tourism safari and camping facilities for tourists at Derawar Fort as well as Lal Sohanra park, Uch Sharif, Panjnad Headworks and annual Channan Pir festival.

Besides, upgrading the zoo, completion of under-construction digital library/exhibition centre at Sadiq Reading Library of the late nawab and showcasing of royal bazaar here are also part of the proposal.

The paper also stressed the need for reduction in vehicular pollution through conversion of public transport to CNG and biodiesel, introduction of electric rickshaws and control of industrial pollution through promotion of green energy, establishment of dedicated industrial zones and control of emissions from industrial units here.

In addition, the proposal also contained need for reduction in water pollution through water retention ponds and recycling of wastewater, proper disposal of municipal and hospital solid waste, strengthening of urban forestry through extensive plantation in parks and canal banks. There is also stress on launching of massive awareness campaigns among the public to make the tourist city a complete success and attract foreign tourists as well.

The Gulzar Mahal and Darbar Mahal presently house offices of the Pakistan Army.

DEVELOPMENT FUNDS: The district coordination committee at its meeting held here on Saturday was informed that the Punjab government has released Rs500 million for the district development package.

The meeting chaired by MPA Chaudhry Ehsanul Haq and participated by MPA Dr Muhammad Afzal, Deputy Commissioner Shozeb Saeed and others was told that the funds were meant for the development schemes of departments of highways, Punjab higher education and others.

he officials said that after the release of funds, the departments concerned had started construction after inviting tenders.

MEDICINES: Deputy Commissioner Saeed took notice of the shortage of medicines at the Lal Sohanra Rural Health Centre during a surprise visit and ordered an inquiry into the complaints of shortage.

He also asked the in-charge to submit a detailed catalogue of the medicines available at the health centre.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2019