Punjab Chief Secretary presides over a meeting of Administrative Secretaries Committee

Lahore: Punjab Chief Secretary Khizar Hayat Gondal has directed all departments to extend full cooperation to Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission for resolving problems of Pakistanis living abroad.

He was presiding over a meeting of Administrative Secretaries Committee held at Conference Room of Chief Secretary’s Office here on Wednesday. The meeting discussed, in detail, dengue control measures, local government elections, recruitment against the disabled quota, tree plantation campaign and implementation of law to protect women’s share in inheritance. The Chief Secretary said that overseas Pakistanis are an asset for the country; their problems should be resolved on priority basis.

He issued instructions to departments to fully participate in the tree plantation campaign. He directed that a detailed transition plan regarding local governments be presented in next meeting. He also ordered early disposal of pension cases and departmental inquiries.

The Secretary Local Government and Community Development told the meeting that boundaries of the local governments have been notified under the Punjab Local Government Act, 2013.

He said that information about demarcation of the local governments, maps, population and number of union councils and wards has been provided to Election Commission of Pakistan. He said that delimitation of union councils and wards has been started by the Election Commission.

He said that Sanitation Week will be observed under the aegis of Local Government and Community Development Department from April 6. He said that a control room has been set up in the office of DG Local Government for dengue control. Special teams have also been formed for monitoring of dengue, he maintained.

The Health Secretary said that nine suspected dengue cases were reported during the current year but no patient has been confirmed with dengue in Punjab so far. He said that all the heads of regional Dengue Experts Advisory Group (DEAG) and EDOs have been asked to start training of medical, nursing as well as allied health professionals involved in dengue patients management.

The meeting was briefed that job quota for disabled persons was increased from two to three percent, ban on recruitment was lifted for them in December 2014 and so far provincial departments have advertised recruitment to 114 posts under disabled quota.

The meeting was also briefed on issuance of direct show-cause notice to the accused under PEEDA Act, online publication of substantive and delegated/subordinate legislation, speedy disposal of court cases, Punjab Strategic Coordination Board, progress regarding disposal of delayed pension cases and issuance of retirement notification.

Those among present were: Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commissioner, Secretaries of different departments including Law, Finance, Education, Information, Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, Social Welfare, and Special Education.