CM hosts cabinet, bureaucracy.

LAHORE -- In a bid to dispel general perception that the bureaucracy is rather taking orders from Islamabad and not following his directions, Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar on Friday hosted his cabinet and civil bureaucracy.

During his Lahore visit last Sunday, Prime Minister Imran Khan had instructed the chief secretary and IG Police to work as team members of CM Buzdar.

The prime minister said 'political disconnect' among elected representatives and civil bureaucracy be eliminated forthwith and a comprehensive and effective mechanism be developed for better liaison.

In the backdrop of the prime minister's assertion that Mr Buzdar would remain a fully-empowered chief minister, Mr Buzdar hosted the ceremony for provincial ministers, chief secretary, IGP, additional chief secretaries and provincial secretaries.

He directed that ministers and officers should spend their energies on public welfare. He said ministers were empowered to take decisions. 'The team needs to show the best performance and I am convinced that the team will give the best results,' he said.

Mr Buzdar said the ministers were political heads of their departments, while secretaries were the administrative heads and...