RR investigation demands disciplinary action against officials

RR investigation demands disciplinary action against officials

RAWALPINDI: The new report on the Rawalpindi Ring Road project investigation scandal calls for disciplinary action against former Punjab chief secretary Jawad Rafique and former Rawalpindi commissioner Syed Gulzar Hussain Shah. Both men were on the first fact-finding committee and wrongly accused former Rawalpindi commissioner Muhammad Mehmood and others without hearing their side of the story.

An order from the Establishment Division says that around 13 bureaucrats have been cleared in the scandal. This includes former commissioner Muhammad Mehmood and former land acquisition collector Waseem Ali Tabish.

Read more about EL news: Govt desires to reestablish the Ring Road project’s original alignment

In the new report, the first committee’s report on the scandal is called “malicious,” and it is suggested that the first committee members be punished.

Capt. (Ret.) Muhammad Mehmood, the former commissioner of Rawalpindi, had problems with the charge sheet of the first fact-finding committee. Later, former prime minister Imran Khan asked grade-22 officer Muhammad Ali Shahzada to investigate the scandal again.

The current government gave the investigation to Director General of the Civil Services Academy, Omar Rasool, who finished it in 60 days. The new report, which had three volumes and 882 pages, also said that Muhammad Mehmood should be set free. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif freed Muhammad Mehmood based on the new report.

According to the report, the new investigation looked at all the evidence and talked to 30 witnesses. The new study found no evidence that the Ring Road project was messed up in any way. However, it said that the initial fact-finding committee was influenced by Imran Khan’s close friends.

A new investigation has found that the former chief minister of Punjab, Usman Buzdar, agreed to change the Ring Road project’s route. It said that the change in alignment cost the government Rs30 billion. It said that based on the previous fact-finding report, the Punjab Anti-Corruption Department quickly filed a FIR and arrested former commissioner Capt. (Ret.) Muhammad Mehmood and land acquisition collector Wasim Tabish. However, the Lahore High Court released them because they didn’t have enough evidence against them.

In the first fact-finding report, former commissioner Muhammad Mehmood was accused of being involved in 20 cases of corruption by working with housing societies and getting kickbacks.

The report showed that the first fact-finding report was written without hearing from former commissioner Muhammad Mehmood. It said that former Additional Commissioner General Jahangir Ahmed and former Rawalpindi deputy commissioner Capt (retd) Anwarul Haq wrote dissenting notes, but committee convener and former commissioner Gulzar Hussain Shah sent the report to the Chief Minister’s Office without including the dissenting note, which was illegal.

The report said that former commissioner Syed Gulzar Hussain Shah did not follow any of the rules and regulations given in the notice for the fact-finding committee. It noted that Shah made accusations about the Ring Road project without talking to other departments, put together the terms of reference for the committee himself, and wrote the report after doing the investigation himself, which was against the law.

The report said that no one testified against Muhammad Mehmood, the former commissioner of Rawalpindi.

The report was also very worried about how the then-chief secretary of Punjab, Jawad Rafique, was acting. It said that the chief secretary also showed up before the new committee and admitted that he was under a lot of pressure, which is why the rules weren’t followed.

The report said that 30 people were interviewed as part of the investigation. For the first time, the main suspect in the Ring Road scandal, Muhammad Mehmood, was given the chance to elaborate his side of the story, and all the evidence and statements were questioned by the other side..

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Govt desires to reestablish the Ring Road project's original alignment

Govt desires to reestablish the Ring Road project’s original alignment

Rawalpindi: After the Rawalpindi Ring Road (R3) inquiry report was finished, the federal government asked the provincial authority to bring back the old alignment, which was supposed to be completed in April 2021 but won’t be anymore.

From Rawat Radio Pakistan to Thalian and from Thalian to Sangjani, a project to build a road that is 66.3 km long and will cost Rs64 billion will begin in 2020.

Read more with EL news: Government adopts first ever toxic waste management program

After the Establishment Division threw out the alleged corruption charges against the former commissioner, retired Capt. In the Rawalpindi Ring Road scam, Mohammad Mehmood told the Punjab government and Planning Commission on Monday to take immediate steps to get the project back on track with the best alignment in consultation with the right people.

In a press release, the Establishment Division said that when the inquiry report was done, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the Punjab government and Planning Commission to get an independent consulting firm of the highest repute to do a third-party validation to find the best route for the Rawalpindi Ring Road Economic Corridor Project.

The investigation report clears the former commissioner.

“Former commissioner and retired Capt. Mohammad Mahmood has been cleared of the charges brought against him under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020,” it said.

It also said that the public could look at the inquiry report by Omer Rasul, Director General of the Civil Services Academy in Lahore, on the Establishment Division’s website, www.establishment.gov.pk.

In April 2021, Prime Minister Imran Khan heard that the Punjab bureaucracy and some PTI politicians had planned to build an extra road that would have helped some private housing societies and added Rs25 billion to the cost of the project. This is how the scandal came to light.

As the Rawalpindi Ring Road project controversy grew, Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, a former special assistant to the prime minister, resigned, and Ghulam Sarwar, who was the aviation minister at the time, said that if he were found guilty of corruption, he would leave politics.

In May 2021, Chief Secretary Jawwad Rafique Malik put together a fact-finding committee. It was done after the former commissioner, retired Capt. Mohammad Mehmood was moved. In July 2021, the people who work to stop corruption arrested the former commissioner and put him in jail. 

But things changed, and after the PML-N took power, a federal government committee led by Omer Rasul, Director General of the Civil Services Academy in Lahore, began to look into the matter.

After looking into the situation and talking to all of the government officials in Rawalpindi and Attock, the committee gave retired Capt. Mohammad Mehmood a clean bill of health. In response to the report, the government decided to bring back the old alignment from Rawat to Thalian and Motorway to Sangjani to connect it to Islamabad. Still, it would have to be checked by consultants with a good reputation around the world.

The previous PTI government got rid of the alignment and made a new one that goes from Rawat to the Motorway and is 38 km long. On March 19, Prime Minister Imran Khan kicked off the project and gave Frontier Works Organization the contract (FWO).

The project will cost Rs33.7 billion, including Rs27 billion for building and Rs6.7 billion for buying land. The main carriageway will be 38.3 km long.

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Tips to Start a Profitable Real Estate Business in 2022

Tips to Start a Profitable Real Estate Business in 2023

Introduction

The Real Estate Business is one of the oldest business models; all investors prefer to generate a handsome amount of money. Moreover, developers globally find this investment option trustworthy and valuable which is also a sustainable business option. Furthermore, the business model might require some initial investment, but in the long run, it will help in generating more revenues. The primary reason that all investors find this investment trustworthy is its sustainability. And the perfect example will be the pandemic that affects almost all business models except real estate. Lastly, continue reading if you are keen to know the tips for a successful real estate business. 

Tips for Real Estate Business

Several ideas and tips are here that can be helpful for all the investors who are new to the industry and want to build their careers more sustainably. And some of the successful and sustainable tips are here:

Planning

For real estate enterprises, Planning is the first step to follow. And that is the reason the investors and developers must spend most of their time planning. Furthermore, we know that the real estate business is a long-term project requiring in-depth research and guidance. And that is the reason realtors must plan every aspect of the project early to avoid any haphazard afterwards. Moreover, we know several real estate schemes are available in the country, like the Prime Valley Islamabad, Kingdom Valley Islamabad, and Seven Wonders City. 

Market Research & Guidance

The other vital part of the real estate business is guidance and market research. Moreover, the realtors need to invest time in effective planning strategies. And this is to offer the best living standards to all future investors and residents. Furthermore, several subject matter experts are now available with the click of a button who can help all the beginners with the relevant guidance and information. But, most importantly, the research will provide the best options to all the developers. And the best features are then available to all the investors. 

Manage Expenses

The expanses are other real estate business aspects that all investors find exciting and must manage. Moreover, building a new project requires a lot of money and hard work. Therefore, managing and allocating the budget earlier is mandatory to avoid later inconvenience. Furthermore, finances are the main concern and the reason the developers and realtors come to the business. And the best aspect is that all realtors can start the company with a small amount of money. And we can see affordable housing schemes offer inexpensive plot files to all the investors. Lastly, some housing schemes here offering such benefits are Seven Wonders City Islamabad, Kingdom Valley and Park View City. 

Brand Awareness

The other real estate business vital feature is promoting the business. Moreover, several social media platforms and tools are also available to help realtors showcase their properties. And building a brand is essential to getting more leads. Furthermore, the best way can be by making a website that offers all the services the realtor wants. Although several social media platforms are also available, they will help increase the business’s reach. Therefore, taking advantage of social media for business growth will be vital. 

Legal Frame Work

The other vital aspect that is a necessary part of the real estate business is legalizing the work. Moreover, it is mandatory to gain investors’ and buyers’ trust and confidence. Therefore, a keen interest in this area must make a good business plan. Furthermore, the best aspect is that it is not a hard way to become a legal realtor in the country. Moreover, affordable yet legal housing schemes like the Kingdom Valley Islamabad are the ideal example of building a legal housing scheme. Lastly, seeking and promoting legal residential projects will be mandatory to avoid any issues later. 

Setting up an Office 

The real estate business is a successful venture that needs showcasing and showing up at the end of the day. Moreover, building an office is the primary aspect that creates trust among the investors and future residents. Furthermore, the office must be in a busy area to grab the attention of the majority of the people. Another aspect must be that all realtors should use a high-quality architecture that all investors are fond of before making any real estate investment. Lastly, the more good quality of the professional space, the more there will be chances of more lead generation. 

Conclusion

The real estate business is a significant business model showing tremendous growth in the country. Moreover, several residential enterprises are now here, like the Kingdom Valley Islamabad, Blue World City, and Park View City. Furthermore, the developers also need the realtors to promote their businesses and properties to gain profits. And the most crucial aspect is to plan. We all know that Planning must include the majority of the time and efforts of the realtors.

Moreover, other points include legalizing the framework, marketing and setting up an office. Lastly, starting a profitable real estate business is not a dream anymore. Lastly, visit Estate Land Marketing for updates on booming real estate ideas.

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Government adopts first ever toxic waste management program

Government adopts first ever toxic waste management program

Climate Change Minister Senator Sherry Rehman told reporters in Islamabad on June 29 that the federal cabinet had approved the country’s first toxic waste management policy. This policy is meant to protect the environment and human life.

Read more with EL news: Traders in two cities demand the dismissal of the finance minister

According to the details, the climate change ministry’s National Hazardous Waste Management Policy will help control the movement of toxic materials like batteries, oil, plastics, hospital waste, and electronic waste. The policy will also help classify dangerous materials and devise ways to get rid of them.

She also said that a framework for the departments will be made and that provincial and federal environmental protection agencies (EPAs) will be strengthened. She also noted that a regulatory framework will be made to ensure the policy is put into place.

Reports say that the center will work with the provinces to make a national framework and plan to control licencing for hazardous waste imports. Climate Change Minister Rehman said that implementing this policy will help the country comply with the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP Plus). She hoped that within three months, the ministry of climate change would devise a national plan.

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Traders in two cities demand the dismissal of the finance minister

Traders in two cities demand the dismissal of the finance minister

Islamabad: On Saturday, traders in Rawalpindi and Islamabad called for Finance Minister Miftah Ismail to be fired. They said he was against business and corrupt and was trying to get rid of small businesses.

Ajmal Baloch, president of the All Pakistan Traders Association, said at a news conference at the National Press Club that the government had promised to let shops stay open until midnight during Eid. Still, no notice had been sent out yet.

Read more with EL news: PLRA and NADRA will share information to stop fraud related to land

Mr. Baloch said that Miftah Ismail is always making fun of poor people and that the new government has put inflation on the people instead of keeping their luxuries in check.

“The new system has given traders a fixed tax that they already paid,” he said. “Why don’t these people put new taxes on the rich?”

If the police keep bothering businesses, says the head of a restaurant association, roads will be blocked.

He said that the cabinet members should cut back on their rules, practice austerity, help out regular people, and make policies that are good for small businesses, including traders.

“But, I repeat, don’t make us go out on the streets to protest,” he said. He also said that the political parties in power now had made false promises to take care of the economy, but the current government hasn’t done anything good in this area.

He also said the government was bad because there was a lot of load shedding and high fuel prices.

In another news story, the head of the All Rawalpindi Restaurant Association, Farooq Chaudhry, said that if the Punjab government doesn’t stop the police from harassing traders and restaurants, they will block roads in protest.

Mr. Chaudhry was talking to reporters in Rawalpindi. He mentioned a meeting with Punjab Home Minister Ata Tarar and Rana Mashhood and said that takeout and home delivery were allowed late at night. A notification had already been sent out, but the police filed FIRs against traders.

The deputy commissioner of Islamabad, Irfan Nawaz Memon, said in a statement that there were no restrictions on business hours on Saturday nights.

“All shops can stay open without interruption, and the ICT administration doesn’t enforce business hours on Saturdays,” Mr Memon said.

But the statement also said there were no exceptions for wedding halls and that the ceremonies had to be over by the time set.

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