PM for speedy development through best economic decisions

LAHORE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday directed the government functionaries to take the best economic decision to ensure proper use of each and every penny from the national exchequer.
He was speaking at a briefing regarding Ravi Zone development and conservation of archaeological sites, including Jahngir Tomb, at his Raiwind residence on Saturday.
Chief Secretary Punjab Naveed Akram Cheema, Chairman Planning and Development Department Irfan Elahi, Commissioner Lahore Rashid Langrial, LDA Chairman Ahad Cheema, two Singapore based consultants engaged in conservation of Jahangir Tomb and other senior officials of the government were also present.
The Prime Minister said experts and consultants from the private sector should be engaged in development works to ensure the maximum utilization of available resources and achieving a goal of development in the shortest possible time.
He said the public private partnership could be among the best options for reducing financial burden of big projects on the government and getting an efficient and better outcome.
He said `high end areas' should be developed in big cities, including Lahore, keeping in view models from the developed world for allowing construction of multi-storey buildings.
He stressed the need of adopting the best `commercial leverages' for enhancing value of the government's lands so that the land resources of the public sector could be used in the best interest of the masses.
Talking about residents of poor localities, he directed officials of development authorities to take steps for providing the best organized living facilities to people residing in unorganized areas.
"It is a social obligation to provide the best living facilities to people of unorganized areas and the government would do its best in this regard," he said.
Nawaz Sharif got a detailed briefing on steps to improve water table of Lahore and directed the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) to prepare proposals on economically viable options in this regard.