Punjab Government Greenlights Journalists Colony Phase II Master Plan in Lahore
The 14th significant meeting of the Board of Governors of the Journalists Housing Foundation convened in Lahore, chaired by Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari. This pivotal gathering marked a major step forward in addressing the residential needs of journalists across the province.
Key Attendees and Unanimous Approval
The meeting saw participation from notable figures including Secretary Information Punjab Syed Tahir Raza Hamdani, President of the Lahore Press Club Arshad Ansari, MPA Bilal Yamin Satti, Deputy Secretary Adnan Rasheed, and representatives from the Pakistan Journalists Foundation, Asad Hussain and Muhammad Yasin. In a decisive move, the Board unanimously approved the master plan for Journalists Colony Phase II, signaling strong governmental support for the initiative.
Modern Facilities and Financial Commitments
During the briefing, Secretary Information Punjab Syed Tahir Raza Hamdani outlined the comprehensive features of the housing scheme. He emphasized that it will incorporate modern facilities such as schools, roads ranging from 40 to 100 feet in width, commercial areas, and parks to ensure a high quality of life for residents. Financially, the project has already seen substantial progress with Rs. 400 million paid to RUDA, and the land acquisition process is nearing completion under Section 4, securing the necessary resources for development.
Minister Azma Bokhari's Announcements and Warnings
Addressing the assembly, Minister Azma Bokhari revealed that Journalists Colony Phase II will allocate 3,200 plots of five marlas each to journalists, fulfilling a commitment made by Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif. She announced that the Chief Minister herself will distribute allotment letters to journalists in February, underscoring the government's dedication to this cause.
However, Bokhari expressed regret over certain elements exploiting the scheme for political gains, warning that dirty politics over journalists' housing will not be tolerated. She criticized negative propaganda spread by a political party's media wing and issued a clear message that no one will be allowed to jeopardize the future of 3,200 journalists and their families.
Progress and Transparency Measures
The Minister highlighted that 1,400 journalist members have already deposited advance development charges, along with 635 employees of the Punjab Information Department. She urged remaining members to settle their dues promptly. To ensure fairness, the balloting process for non-members will be conducted with complete transparency, resisting any pressure from mafias or groups.
Deferred Matters and Additional Approvals
The meeting also addressed other housing schemes, deciding to postpone discussions on journalists' housing in Rawalpindi and Multan until the next session. A complete record of council member journalists has been requested from the Multan Press Club to facilitate future planning. Additionally, approval was granted to adopt the LDA commercial plan for the Lahore Journalists Colony, streamlining regulatory aspects.
Conclusion and Future Directions
In her concluding remarks, Minister Azma Bokhari mandated that all press clubs hold their elections between December and January, promoting organizational integrity. This meeting underscores the Punjab government's sincere efforts to provide residential facilities for journalists, amidst challenges and political maneuvering.
