We can deal with floods: Maqbool

* Says governance improved over the last five years

LAHORE: The government has made arrangements to cope with the post-flood situation, Governor Lt Gen (r) Khalid Maqbool told reporters at the Punjab accountant general’s office on Friday.

“Flood relief and rescue operations are underway in the affected areas near Chenab river,” Maqbool said. He said that the Punjab government responded promptly to the information about the water release in river Chenab by India on Thursday and took necessary measures to save the life and property of the affected people.

Maqbool said that the upcoming local elections would be held in a fair and free manner. “We will ensure that all the directives and rules of the Election Commission of Pakistan are fully implemented in the elections,” he said.

He said that he would visit utility stores of Lahore to obtain first-hand knowledge on the prices of commodities. Addressing an open court, Maqbool said that Pakistan’s governance had improved significantly due to the reforms introduced by President Pervez Musharraf over the last five years. “There is improvement in the working of government departments; yet a number of problems still remain unsolved,” he said.

Wazir Ahmad Qureshi, Punjab accountant general (AG), and other senior officials were present on the occasion. Maqbool asked the Qureshi to double his efforts to resolve problems of employees and pensioners.“ It is the right of people to get opportunities that match those enjoyed by the upper class,” he said.

Governor listened to the complaints of a number of government employees and pensioners, and assured them of his support. He distributed honorarium (one month pay) and certificates to 10 officials of the Accounts Department for outstanding performances.

Later, Maqbool inaugurated Punjab’s first functional site of Project for Improvement of Financial Reporting and Auditing (PIFRA) at the AG’s office. PIFRA is a state of the art system of maintaining accounts which is supported by the World Bank. Pakistan is the only country in South Asia to have this system. “The development of this accounting system will ensure a transparent financial system in the country,” he said.

Qureshi said that accounts were computerised at the AG office and Faisalabad district accounts office since November 2004. PIFRA’s first phase has been completed and its next phase would be launched soon, he added. app

Home | National