New Punjab CM rules out political appointments

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has declared that there would be no “political appointments” during her government as she will neither violate merit nor let anyone do it.

Chairing a high-level meeting at Darbar Hall at Civil Secretariat in Lahore on Tuesday, Maryam said accountability, transparency, quality work and timely work are the “red lines.”

The chief minister said in unequivocal terms that she wants immediate solution to the public’s problems.

“We have to undertake structural reforms, geting hold of the roots of the problems,” she said and added officers and employees will be her team and she will support those who deliver.

Chief Secretary Zahid Zaman Akhtar, Chairman P&D, Secretary Health, Secretary Finance gave the new chief ministers a detailed briefing about different issues.

Ater the briefing, Maryam addressed the civil servants, highlighting her vision about governance.

Maryam pledged that there will be no compromise on transparency in financial affairs.

She said appointments based on political affiliations will not be tolerated. She directed that public utility projects especially in health and other sectors should be continued at all cost. She told the officers and officials that she will not tolerate violation of merit in public sector departments. She directed that people’s problems should be solved immediately.

She directed that health department must pay atention to the prevention of dengue and polio with standard treatment facilities to the people. Moreover, she told the officers that good suggestions will be welcomed in fulfilling the public service mission.

PML-N leaders Pervaiz Rashid, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Azma Bukhari, Sania Ashiq, Punjab chief secretary and secretaries of concerned departments also atended the meeting.

Earlier, Maryam expressed her displeasure when public traffic was suspended during her travel from CM Secretariat to the Civil Secretariat. She directed the traffic management authority that public should face no hurdle during her movement.