LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has accorded approval to establishment of ‘Khidmat Markaz’ in 36 districts of Punjab.
The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting held here on Tuesday. Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that such centres would facilitate the citizens in executing a number of services under one roof, and within shortest and specified span of time for each service.
He said that such centres would be made functional by the year-end. Earlier, the Punjab government had established Khidmat Markaz in six districts of the province. He said third party validation and financial audit of Khidmat Markaz would also be carried out.
He appreciated Punjab chief secretary, Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) chairman for establishing Khidmat Markaz in Faisalabad. He said model of Khidmat Markaz in Faisalabad should be replicated in other districts. The chief minister was of the view that an awareness campaign should be launched to make people aware of Khidmat Markaz.
Shahbaz also constituted a committee, to be headed by the chief secretary, and sought a report on recommendations of new system of services and other allied matters within a week. He said that the draft of ‘Right to Services Act 2017’ would soon be presented in the assembly for approval.
Briefing the meeting, Dr Umar Saif said an effective system had been made for applicants to know about the status of their applications submitted in Khidmat Markaz. He said that six of 10 Khidmat Markaz set up throughout the province were functional. Provincial Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Adviser Dr Umar Saif, chief secretary, additional chief secretary, acting inspector general of police and officials concerned were also present on the occasion.
Separately, presiding over another meeting, to review aspects of the Punjab Safe City Project here on Tuesday, the chief minister said that the project was being launched in six big cities of the province, including Lahore. He said that protection of life and property of the people was top priority of the government, and that benefitting from latest technology to improve public peace was a need of the hour.
He said that Safe City project would make the cities secure, and would play a vital role in elimination of crimes. Present among others were Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, Colonel (r) Muhammad Ayub Gadhi, chief secretary, additional chief secretary (Home), acting inspector general of police, senior officers of the Punjab Safe City Project and officials concerned.
