Lahore, In a move to streamline the driving test process and reduce delays, Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi has announced the establishment of eight additional driving test centres in Lahore. This decision comes in response to the concerns raised by citizens over the current testing facilities.
According to Punjab Portal, Chief Minister Naqvi visited the police khidmat markaz at Liberty, where he interacted with a large number of applicants waiting to take their car driving tests. During his visit, several visitors shared their frustrations about the prolonged waiting times and the inefficiency of the current system.
In response to these concerns, the Chief Minister announced the immediate establishment of eight new driving test centres at Qaddafi Stadium. He directed the Inspector General of Police to take swift action to set up these centres. This initiative aims to expedite the testing process and make it more accessible to the citizens.
The announcement was enthusiastically received by the public, who expressed their support through cheers and slogans. This step by the Chief Minister is seen as a positive development towards improving public services and addressing the needs of the citizens in Punjab.
Lahore, Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi has officially initiated a significant desilting drive, marking the first such effort in a decade, to clear the silt from 17,000 km of canals across the province. This campaign, beginning from the Lahore canal near Muslim Town Morr, aims to enhance water availability and improve canal conditions.
According to Punjab Portal, the Chief Minister, accompanied by Provincial Ministers SM Tanveer, Amir Mir, Azfar Ali Nasir, the Lahore Commissioner, Secretary of Irrigation, CCPO, and other officials, inaugurated the campaign. The CM personally operated a crane to remove silt, signaling the start of this extensive project.
Chief Minister Naqvi outlined the campaign’s phases, stating that the first phase, focusing on desilting, would continue until January 31. The subsequent phase, spanning over two months, will involve the repair of embankments along 5,000 km of canals. The Chief Minister highlighted that the desilting drive would make water available to an estimated 3 to 4 lakh acres of land.
Addressing the media, CM Naqvi detailed the operational aspects of the campaign. The Lahore Integrated Management System (LIMS) will provide round-the-clock monitoring of the desilting process. District Commissioners and relevant staff have received training through LIMS to ensure effective oversight, with satellite images aiding in monitoring. Additionally, NESPAK will serve as a third-party observer of the project.
Further, CM Naqvi addressed concerns regarding the mixing of drainage water in the Lahore canal, announcing the formation of a committee, including the Managing Director of WASA and the District Commissioner, to investigate these issues. He emphasized the government’s commitment but also appealed to citizens to refrain from polluting the canal.
In an additional announcement, the Chief Minister mentioned the distribution of 26,000 electric bikes and e-rickshaws without interest, underscoring the government’s environmental and transport initiatives. He also noted that new building designs are now required to include parking space, reflecting a broader commitment to urban planning and environmental considerations.