MPAs to get representation in national development: Gilani

LAHORE, Feb 18 (APP)- Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has assured that Members of Provincial Assemblies (MPAs) would be given proper representation in the national development process. He was listening to PPP MPAs’ grievances at Governor House here Wednesday, while Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, all the federal ministers, PPP provincial ministers and MPAs, were also present. Gilani asked the women and minority members of the Punjab Assembly to prepare development schemes worth up to Rs 10 million for their respective constituencies and said he would approve these projects. He said that Sheikh Zayed Hospital would be transformed into a model hospital and a medical college would also be set up there. Gilani directed his Interior Advisor Rehman Malik to take effective pre-cautionary security measures at all entry points of Attock district to prevent influx of Afghans and suspicious elements. Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that effective measures were also being put in order to ensure availability of safe drinking water to the masses. Gilani assured that all MPAs including women and minority members would also be provided funds under Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). He further said that all federal ministers have been tasked to make recruitments in their respective departments on merit for which the government has also evolved a strategy under which women and minority MPAs and provincial quotas have been allocated. The Prime Minister also directed his Finance Advisor Shaukat Tarin and P&D Chairman to work on Lahore-Karachi Motorway project. He also announced Rs 50 million from the current budget for a bridge to be built over river Jhelum , while another same amount would be allocated in the next fiscal year for completion of the project. It is to mention that Benazir Bhutto Shaheed had announced this project in Malikwal in 1995. Later, Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo informed the meeting that 0.575 million tons fertilizer had been imported to bridge the demand and supply gap. The NFC would distribute this fertilizer through its dealers and agents, which would be appointed in consultation with parliamentarians. Punjab Labour Minister Ashraf Sohna speaking on the ocassion said that government is constructing labourer complexes and hospitals, and schools for their children in every district. He asked all MPAs to chalk out plans in this regard and the government would provide funds for the purpose. The government, he added, is revising the registered labourers list to accommodate maximum labourers working in different fields and effective steps would be taken for their uplift.