LAHORE: Taking strict notice of open manholes & stray dogs biting cases in Punjab Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif chaired a three-hour long accountability meeting via video link which was attended by all Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners. The CM directed them to take strict and decisive actions against officers who fail to ensure citizens’ safety and public convenience. She asserted that officers will face stern actions including transfers, explanations and warnings if fail to provide safety and facilitation to citizens across Punjab. She did not allow Assistant Commissioner Layyah, Haris Hameed to sit in the meeting over the tragic death of a two-year-old child who fell into a pit in Layyah and directed his immediate transfer. The Chief Minister directed the administration to take immediate action against open manholes, dog-bite incidents, dilapidated infrastructure and land-grab mafia. She underscored that there would be no compromise on the protection of life and property of Punjab’s citizens along with denying provision of basic facilities to them. She took strict notice of unsatisfactory performance of Commissioners and further directed to carry out a complete evaluation system based on ‘KPIs’. She also directed Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners to set KPIs for their relevant officers and staff. She expressed strong indignation over horrifying incidents of people falling into manholes and their suffering from dog bites. She summoned Deputy Commissioners Multan, Hafizabad and Bahawalnagar over repeated unfortunate incidents and negligence from their duties. She also reprimanded Deputy Commissioner Layyah over occurrence of tragic incident. The Chief Minister emphasized that officers must take pre-emptive action before such tragic incidents occur. She termed lack of preventive measures against dog-bite incidents extremely unbearable and questioned whether repairing open manholes and sewerage pits was not the responsibility of officers concerned. She directed the relevant officers to ignore political pressure and make good governance and transparency their core objectives. She appreciated swift decisions in 3607 encroachment cases and directed effective anti-encroachment actions. She directed to further empower ADC(R)s and Assistant Commissioners while launching anti-encroachment drive. She directed that every market in Punjab should be beautified according to approved design pictures and further directed them to carry out foolproof monitoring of beautification plans. She also directed them that footpaths should be constructed along every road to ensure citizens’ safety and convenience. The CM directed the relevant authorities to install clear and uniform signboards in markets across all cities for public guidance. She emphasized to enhance greenery in bazaars and markets to create a pleasant environment for citizens. Authorities concerned briefed the CM that Lahore’s historic Ichhra Bazaar will be beautified and its access will be made more comfortable for women. They added that quality and aesthetically designed coffee shops, pakora and chaat stalls will be set up and clean, newly-constructed toilets will be built for visitors’ convenience. They briefed her that in Kasur, state-of-the-art Food Streets and General Bus Stand will be renovated, adding that markets in Shahkot, Warburton, Sangla Hill and Clock Tower of Nankana Sahib will also be beautified. Officials concerned further briefed the CM that in Pakpattan, target has been set to carry out beautification of Baba Farid Bazaar, Bartan Bazaar and Canal Bridge besides their completion by the end of May. The CM directed to ensure beautification of Pakpattan Bazaar, Sadar Bazaar and Brand Road in Sahiwal by May 31. She further directed to complete beautification of Okara’s Gol Chowk Bazaar, food streets and parking areas before May. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025