Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed authorities to ensure the completion of major development projects in seven cities by April, signaling an acceleration of ongoing infrastructure and public welfare initiatives.
The instructions were issued during a high-level meeting reviewing progress on multiple programs, including the Punjab Development Program, Lahore Development Program, Model Villages, Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) projects, clean drinking water schemes, and rural road development.
Key Decisions and Directives
During the meeting, it was decided that:
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Sewerage lines will be laid in green belts instead of roads to reduce traffic disruption
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Manholes will be constructed along road edges to minimize inconvenience for commuters
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Development work in both urban and rural areas will be carried out at an accelerated pace
The chief minister also instructed officials to present a workable plan for establishing PHAs in cities where such authorities are required.
Acknowledging public inconvenience caused by road excavation, Maryam Nawaz apologized to citizens and announced the launch of a live monitoring dashboard, stating that she would personally oversee project progress.
Relief Measures and Public Services
The chief minister ordered the immediate release of the second installment of the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar housing scheme and directed departments to prioritize the installation of water filtration plants in areas affected by contaminated water.
She further announced that residents of Dera Ghazi Khan, Khushab, Rahim Yar Khan, and Bahawalpur will receive bottled drinking water at their doorsteps as an interim relief measure.
Clean Energy Initiatives
In a separate meeting focused on clean energy, the chief minister approved the establishment of six biogas plants and gave the green light to a waste-to-energy project in Lahore. The project aims to generate low-cost electricity for electric and metro buses, reinforcing Punjab’s push toward sustainable energy solutions.
Maryam Nawaz stated that Punjab has taken a leading role in clean energy adoption, with further initiatives expected in the coming months.
