LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has expressed dissatisfaction over public complaints regarding the forcible acquisition of land and has instructed the relevant authorities to conduct a third-party audit to address the issue.
During a visit to Ravi Sapphire Bay on the outskirts of Sheikhupura, accompanied by Pakistan Muslim League-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, she directed the authorities to relocate the slums affected by the project to more appropriate locations.
The chief minister also agreed to a proposal to establish a special team to monitor the construction quality of the project.
While inspecting the construction sites, including river training works, the barrage, and the cofferdam at Sapphire Bay, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif emphasized the importance of hiring top international consultants for the Ravi River City project to ensure high-quality construction.
She and the PML-N president received a detailed briefing on the river training plan. Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) Chief Executive Officer Imran Amin explained that the 46km channelization of the Ravi River would be completed in three phases, with 36% of the project area reserved for forests and green spaces.
A 46km road will be built from the siphon to the Hudayara drain, and three barrages are also planned as part of the Ravi River Front Project.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz reaffirmed her commitment to achieving 100% polio eradication in Punjab. In a message marking the launch of an anti-polio campaign in 14 districts of the province, she urged coordinated efforts to ensure the success of the vaccination drive.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
