Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif met a delegation of Apex Bodies of Bar Councils. Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazir Tarar and Ahsan Bhoon were also present on the occasion.
CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced to increase a grant for the well-being of lawyers up to rupees one billion. She also announced plans to establish a specific hall for the women lawyers and a day care centre in the Bar Councils. On being informed about the murder of two lawyers in Attock, she expressed her deep sense of sorrow, grief and also condoled with the office-bearers of the bar councils over the occurrence of tragic murder of two lawyers.
On the direction of CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the police took the accused into custody. She directed to put the accused on trial in a Special Court under the Bar council Act and Lawyers Protection Act. She said, “The responsibility rests with the government to ensure protection of the lawyers community.”
The CM accepted the invitation to visit Punjab Bar Council and also expressed her willingness to undertake a visit on the invitations extended by the Presidents of Bahawalpur and Multan Bar Councils. The Chief Minister awarded cheques of grant worth rupees 5 crore to the Punjab Bar Council and rupees one crore each for Bahawalpur and Multan High Court Bar Councils. It was agreed to restore treatment facilities for the lawyers community in the government hospitals.
CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif said, “The struggle of the lawyers community for the supremacy of the rule of law is praiseworthy. We will extend complete assistance for upholding the rule of law and equal access to justice for a common man. The government will continue to fulfil its administrative responsibilities for enhancing the performance of judicial system and timely provision of justice.”
Matters pertaining to strengthening a partnership between the government and lawyers community were discussed in the meeting.
CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif assured the Bar Councils delegation about the government cooperation to resolve problems of the lawyers community. The Bar Council Office-bearers expressed their profound gratitude to CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif on giving assurance of her complete cooperation and awarding financial assistance as well. The Chief Minister lauded the endeavours of the lawyers community for advancing forward a collective aim with regard to establishing a judicious and an effective legal system. Senator Pervez Rashid, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb,Provincial Minister for Information Azma Zahid Bokhari,Provincial Law Minister Sohaib Ahmad Barth, MPA Sania Ashiq, Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Principal Secretary to CM Sajid Zafar Daal, Advocate General Punjab Khalid Ishaq and other relevant officers attended the meeting.
Separately, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif summoned a meeting even on a holiday. She directed the administration to provide a relief to the masses in the shape of reduction in transport fares on account of an announcement being made by the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on giving a mega relief in the petroleum prices. CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed her indignation on non-reduction in the transport fares despite reduction of rupees 35 in the petroleum prices She directed the Transport Ministry and police to launch an operation to ensure an immediate reduction in the transport fares. She also directed the Complaints and Inspection Commission to undertake prompt measures in this regard.
The Chief Minister directed the officials to ensure maintaining the prices of bread, transport fares and other edibles at the official rates and no negligence will be tolerated in this regard. The CM issued immediate directions for timely cleaning the animal waste and provision of sheds to protect the animals from sunlight in the cattle markets. For the first time, distribution of 32 lakh special bags to the masses has been started. CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed to ensure availability of doctors, water and other essential facilities in the cattle markets. She said, “The quality of cleanliness should be similar to that which was observed during Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s tenure.”
CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed to undertake measures with regard to appointing lifeguards in order to save the lives of the people in the canals.