A delegation of Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) led by its president Mr. Arif Nizami called on punjab chief minister Sardar Usman Buzdar at his office here on wednesday. During the meeting, various matters including overall situation in the country, political matters and the problems faced by the newspapers’ industry came under discussion. At the outset, the chief minister said that multifarious role of the media is very critical with regard to identification of problems as it is the fourth pillar of the state that also guides the government. And, I believe that constructive criticism of the media guides the government in different ways, he added. We have identified our targets and are working hard to achieve them. Our approach is constructive and we are moving towards the right direction, he added. On the other side, my doors are always open to the people and you will find that merit prevails at every level in the province. He said that cabinet has been formed and ministers have been assigned their responsibilities. He said that vision of prime minister Imran Khan about a new welfare state of Pakistan will be fulfilled. The decisions are made with consultations to benefit the people, he added. Order has been issued for the audit of schemes of previous tenure. Cabinet sub-committees have been constituted and are working. A ban has also been imposed on the release of funds for new projects of local bodies, he added. We are performing our duties within the legal framework. He maintained that performance of anti-corruption establishment is not up to the mark and therefore, instructions have been issued to improve its performance. Our performance will differentiate us as I remain engaged in performing official assignments from morning till late night. Before assuming the charge of chief ministership, I used to enjoy a little nap daily but now continuously remain busy in disposing of the official work and have no time to rest, the chief minister added.
Sardar Usman Buzdar said that ample opportunities are available in punjab province to promote the tourism sector and informed that punjab government will take full benefit of such opportunities. We will promote tourism by developing beautiful places of southern punjab. I shall spend two days in Multan district every month along with the secretaries to solve the problems of the people on-spot, he said. Meanwhile, steps will also be taken for payment of advertisement dues of the newspapers. We have planned to establish a media academy and for that purpose, your recommendations and proposals are needed. He said that problems being faced by the newspapers industry will be solved through consultations. I have done away with the barriers of protocol and anyone could meet me now, he said. The chief minister said that government intends to increase the number of arazi centers under land record system and added that he is desirous to devolve the arazi centers from tehsil to the level of kanungo. Similarly, E-Khidmat centers will also be gradually expanded to every tehsil and district level to serve the masses. Along with it, the scope of safe city authority will also be expanded to the divisional level, concluded the chief minister. The CPNE delegation congratulated Sardar Usman Buzdar on assuming the post of chief minister punjab and said that prime minister Imran Khan has made a beautiful selection by assigning this duty to you as you are a straightforward person. Provincial minister for information Fayyaz ul Hasan Chohan, Aoun Chaudhary, Akram Chaudhary, secretary information, DGPR and others were also present on the occasion.