Punjab Caretaker Govt Decides To Expand Speedo Buses To Lodhran

Provincial interim cabinet okays use of Japanese money to refurbish, enhance the Taxila Museumm amid reports of deliberations on electronic voting machines

Punjab Caretaker Govt Decides To Expand Speedo Buses To Lodhran

The interim government of Punjab on Tuesday okayed a proposal to expand the service of Speedo buses in the province from Bahawalpur to Lohdran.

There were reports that a proposal to scrap the use of electronic voting machines in polls was discussed.

These decisions and discussions occurred during a meeting of the Caretaker Punjab Cabinet at the Chief Minister's Office in Lahore on Tuesday. The meeting was presided over by Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi. 

The meeting had a nine-point agenda.

A proposal to extend the operation of the Speedo inter-city buses from Bahawalpur to Lodhran was given the green light by the provincial cabinet. 

Among the major decisions taken were amendments to the Punjab Police Deputy Superintendents (Appointment by Promotion) Service Rules of 2020, and the establishment of the Punjab Sports Endowment Fund Management Committee.

Furthermore, the forum approved using a Japanese grant to refurbish and enhance the Taxila Museum.

Annual reports from the Punjab Public Service Commission and the Provincial Ombudsman for the year 2022 were also endorsed.

The provincial cabinet also ratified the decisions of the sixth session of the Cabinet's Standing Committee on Legal Affairs and Privatization.

The appointment of a technical member for the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority was sanctioned, as was the renewal of the contract for an Information Communication Technology based system with the Punjab Information Technology Board. 

The Punjab Wildlife Management Committee Rules of 2023, were also approved.

The cabinet further ratified the resolutions from the 10th and 11th sessions of the Cabinet Standing Committee on Law and Order. 

On electronic voting machines (eVMs), certain reports suggested that a proposal was discussed on scrapping eVMs and that certain officials deemed them a 'waste of time' given the complexity of implementing this solution. 

The meeting was attended by provincial caretaker ministers, advisors, Punjab Advocate General and relevant officials. Chief Secretary Punjab participated in the meeting through a video link.

The writer is a senior correspondent at The Friday Times with a focus on politics, economy and militancy.