LAHORE: Caretaker Minister for Local Governments Ibrahim Murad on Thursday suspended three supervisors and dismissed four parking attendants on public complaints regarding overcharging and issuance of fake parking tickets.

The minister conducted a surprise inspection of various parking stands in the city. The minister also reprimanded the chief executive officer of Lahore Parking Company at this occasion for mismanagement and negligence in redressing public grievances.

Mr Murad visited a number of parking sites established at Gulberg, The Mall, Hall Road and other areas in the city.

He ordered an inquiry against the three suspended parking supervisors and constituted a committee for the purpose.

He also ordered for taking legal action against the four attendants dismissed on charges of overcharging at parking stands.

In order to prevent use of fake parking tickets causing loss to the public treasury, the local government minister changed the design of tickets and directed that only new and modified designs of tickets should be used for charging fee. The parking fee rate can be found from the QR code of the new parking tickets, he said.

He announced stern action against those using fake parking tickets and directed that parking fees be charged according to the rates notified by the government.

He warned that strict action would be taken against those who did not deposit the parking fee with the government exchequer.

He directed that the boards of parking rates should be placed prominently for the information and convenience of the citizens.

Published in Dawn, April 7th, 2023