Development work won't be affected by COVID-19 outbreak: CM.

LAHORE -- Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has said the pace of the development process will not be affected due to the coronavirus pandemic as the development budget has been increased by Rs 5 billion despite difficult economic conditions.

While talking to the MPAs from Attock, Rawalpindi, Jhelum and other cities at his office on Wednesday, the CM assured that fruits to development will reach to every district of the province and there would be no discrimination in the distribution of development funds for districts.

'Ongoing development projects will be completed on priority basis and proposals of assembly members will be given importance in this regard', he said.

The CM stated that DHQ and THQ hospitals will be upgraded adding that new mother-and-child hospitals will be constructed with an amount of Rs 11.5 billion.

Similarly, he added, Rs1 billion has been earmarked for the provision of health facilities in 196 BHUs.

He stated that different projects including water treatment plants and supply and drainage of wastewater will be completed in 16 districts with an amount of Rs32 billion.

The CM further said that wastewater treatment plants will be installed in five districts.

The Punjab Municipal Programme has been started for providing basic local bodies facilities with an amount of Rs23 billion, he added.

Buzdar said that Rs10 billion had been allocated in the new budget for the completion of Phase-2 of Naya Pakistan, Manzalain Aasan Programme.

Buzdar maintained the economy had been slowed down due to the coronavirus pandemic and therefore, the Punjab government had given a tax exemption worth Rs 56 billion to small businesses.

The daily life has been changed due to coronavirus and the citizens can help overcome the spread of this disease by following SOPs, he said, adding the worst-hit areas were being sealed and every necessary step will be taken to protect the lives of the citizens.

The CM maintained the routine practices of the past will not work now to provide relief to the masses and therefore, the incumbent government is working on out-of-box solutions.

He assured that genuine issues of assembly members will be solved at every cost and honour of assembly members will not be compromised.

Steps for solving the constituency-related problems also came under discussion. Those who called on CM included...