KP CM Directs Concerned To Expedite Commercialization Of Public Properties To Generate Additional Resources

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Augst,2016) : Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Pervez Khattak has directed the concerned to expedite process of commercialization of public properties of different public sector entities of the province to generate additional resources for the area.

The provincial government was going to widen resource base of the province creating more fiscal space to undertake developmental strategy throughout the province. He was presiding over a marathon meeting for the commercialization of public properties to generate additional resources and exploring different ways and means to widen the resource base of the province and the legal cover to the commercialization process in the province.

Provincial Minister Muhammad Atif, Advisor to CM Akbar Ayub, Chief Secretary, SMBR and administrative secretaries attended the meeting. The Chief Minister asked the housing sector to sketch out total four housing schemes that included Peshawar Model town, a housing scheme on Motor Way, Hangu and Chitral Housing Schemes which would be taken up with the Frontier Works Organization as the provincial government was set to sign different schemes with FWO in different sectors. The CM asked the SMBR to identify land to be developed for the poor under 5 and 3 marla schemes in different parts of the province so that they could have shelter facilities.

The CM directed the Forest Department to have an efficient sketch for its properties included Shami road, Shinkiari, Gulbahar and other parts of the province. There should be a detailed sketch of commercialization process for generating resources for the department.

He also directed to commercialize the vast land of Livestock department in Bacha Khan Chowk. The CM also directed the PDA to immediately start working on two flyover bridges and undertake construction of intra city roads, parks and undertake the overall beautification and uplift of Peshawar. The meeting took for debate different sectors having vast commercial lands but laying idle and unutilized in the commercial areas of different cities in various districts of the province.

Previously the CM had empowered all public sector entities to come up with its own plan for commercialization of their own properties to be managed and taken care of by the respective departments.

The CM sought the progress report about the identification, demarcation and compilation of public properties of different departments and the reports on the management committees and TORs thereof.

The CM had already given a set of guiding principles to commercialize public properties through public-private partnership under the aim to generate resources for the province. The CM in his address to the meeting remarked that he wished to see on ground what his government decided earlier.

Each department would take care of its assets and responsibilities. The CM directed to conduct a survey and the entire process of commercialization should not take more than ten days. The departments would have to move summaries for formal approval and if there is need, then it could be placed before the cabinet or even necessary legislation could be made. Regarding the industrial zones, the CM said that there should be different rates of commercial properties for commercial shopping centres and schools, colleges etc.

The CM directed to identify land within Peshawar so that industrial units of industrial areas if moved, could be shifted there. In the Works & Services Department, Pervez Khattak directed to develop the nine identified spots on commercial lines for the resource generation. A PC-I should not take more than ten days and in the equal time should be approved by P&D Department.

The Environmental aspect should not be ignored adding that each department should have its own management committee comprising six officials to take care of its assets. The CM said that his government would make necessary legislation because his government wanted 100% rectification of all the weaknesses hindering the process of development and expending the resource base of the province.

Similar orders he issued for different spots of the department in different districts. He also directed to complete the legal process for converting the land in Dabgari Garden and build there, multi storeyed buildings for resource generation.

He also directed for the commercialization of land of C&W Department processed by different departments saying that C&W should make a claim for the land being used by other departments. Regarding the land of the province in Punjab, the CM directed to make a case so that it could be tackled at proper forum.

He also directed for the development of kanal of land at Darya Khan Bridge, showcase it and offer it for the private investment. In irrigation sector, the CM directed to follow the formula given to C&W department for its assets, commercialization and management.

Failure in this regard would never be acceptable, he asserted. Chief Minister directed the Agriculture Department to plan how to commercialize its vast property laying in commercial areas of different cities and it should also come up with an alternative plan to develop and raise nurseries out of the commercial areas in different cities.

He directed the Administrative Secretaries to sit with the Law Department and remove the weaknesses in this regard. He further directed the C&W department to design commercial buildings on 13 plots of Auqaf Department.