LAHORE: The Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) of the Punjab government has approved five major development schemes worth Rs 25 billion during its 44th meeting for the financial year 2025–26.
Acting Chairman, Planning and Development (P&D) Board Rafaqat Ali presided over the meeting.
The approved schemes primarily focus on the health and education sectors. These include the establishment of the Mother and Child Block at the Teaching Hospital in Dera Ghazi Khan at a revised cost of Rs6.070 billion, the construction of a Children Hospital in Rawalpindi at a cost of Rs8.5 billion, and the establishment of burn units at Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, and Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan, each estimated to cost Rs 2 billion. Another key project approved is the construction of Narowal Medical College at a cost of Rs6 billion.
The PDWP also reviewed and approved several position papers related to ongoing initiatives. These included the upgradation of Regional Training Institutes (RTIs) in Faisalabad, Lahore, Multan, and Sahiwal to Schools of Nursing and Midwifery, along with the approval of pay packages and provision of vehicles. The committee further approved incentive allowances for the community empowerment and strengthening of healthcare access through the Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics initiative, as well as for strengthening Physical Rehabilitation Centres across Punjab.
In addition, approval was granted for the procurement of 48 emergency vehicles, including 36 ambulances, two official emergency response vehicles, and 10 UHP fire vehicles, along with pay packages for 437 human resource posts under 16 schemes of the Emergency Services Department, as reflected in the Annual Development Programme 2025–26. The meeting also approved the creation of posts under the Integrated Criminal Justice System Project.
The session was attended by the chief economist, members of the P&D Board, and representatives of the relevant departments.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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