LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif set new benchmarks for governance in the province.
She chaired a six-hour marathon meeting in which performance of all departments of Punjab was reviewed. For the first time in history, Punjab achieved a significant milestone of saving Rs. 120 billion. Provincial ministers and secretaries presented detailed statistics, timelines and outcomes of ongoing projects.
To open new avenues for development, it was decided to launch Thal Expressway Project, which will connect Gwadar and other areas to major development corridors.
Authorities briefed that through 20,000 road projects across the province, over 50,000 people gained dignified employment. They apprised that a total of more than 30,000 km of roads will be constructed or repaired across Punjab, adding that historic 100-year special plastic sewage line project has also been launched.
Officials briefed that first phase of 440 Model Village construction is targeted for completion by December 2026. They further briefed that these villages will provide uniform development with drainage, clean drinking water, parks and other essential facilities.
For the first time in Punjab’s history, construction of more than 115,000 homes under ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ program has been started. Additionally, the meeting also gave approval for establishment of Punjab’s first ‘Salt Village’.
Officials concerned briefed the CM that in order to boost medicine industry, generate employment and open new avenues of modern development, Punjab would establish its first unique pharmaceutical zone. They apprised that first phase of ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ project achieved a record 100 percent loan repayment. They added that for the first time, WASA centres have been increased from 5 to 19, ensuring access to clean water for citizens across the province by the end of current year.
They further briefed that in order to secure Punjab’s water future, 1,000 recharge wells and more than 100 underground storage water tanks will be constructed, adding that Vehari-Multan Road is targeted for completion by June. Officials apprised that clean water will reach every home, hospital and school, with 5,500 fully functional water filtration plants under continuous monitoring mechanism.
The meeting also approved that an additional 4,500 new filtration plants would be installed in hospitals, police stations and schools, adding that a unified helpline for WASA, PHA and other urban services would be set up. The authorities briefed that first lottery draw for land allocation under ‘Apni Zameen, Apna Ghar’ will be held soon in 21 cities across 19 districts. They further apprised that it has been made mandatory to install charging infrastructure at every new petrol pump and service area. Additionally, 10 interchanges will be constructed on the Jhelum-Chenab Bridge.
The Punjab government sought survey reports for constructing underpasses and overhead bridges at railway crossings across the province. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed that safe drinking water should be ensured in households by the end of June. Officials concerned briefed that Punjab’s first Garment City project has been completed, attracting strong interest from investors.
The Punjab government also granted in-principle approval to cancel plots in industrial zones for not establishing industries for two years. They apprised that through ‘Asaan Business Card’ and ‘Asaan Business Finance’ programs, loans worth Rs 60 billion have been disbursed, boosting over 110,000 businesses in the province. Under these schemes, 40 percent of financing for new businesses is being provided.
Authorities briefed that a December deadline has been set for Phase- 2 of health centres’ revamping project. They apprised that Punjab has led other provinces in wheat sowing, achieving over 80 percent target by sowing wheat on 01 crore 65 lakh acres.
Officials briefed that first phase of ‘Kisan’ Card program achieved 91 percent recovery, with farmers repaying Rs. 51 billion. They apprised that for the third phase, farmers have been issued loans worth Rs. 43 billion. They further briefed that records for more than 30,000 tractors in the past 18 months have been sought and under High-Tech Mechanization Finance Scheme, farmers will be provided 12 types of advanced machinery.
Chief Minister Punjab directed Model Agri Mall to become fully operational within three months as a result of which 3100 farmers switched their tube wells to solar energy. She directed to ensure timely completion of Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research project and reviewed restoration plan of Punjab Institute of Mental Health.
Officials briefed that Punjab Medical City will also feature a Genetic Blood Diseases, Surgical Orthopaedic Centre and a Burn Hospital, adding that nearly 300,000 heart patients across the province received medicines by achieving 96 percent stipulated target.
Officials apprised that procurement of five Co-Ablation machines for cancer treatment in various cities became operational and it has been decided to purchase 100 ventilators for government hospitals. They briefed that records of 88 lakh passenger trips on e-buses in 10 cities have been sought in transport sector. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed rapid expansion of e-bus service and construction of bus shelters in nine additional cities.
Officials concerned further briefed about progress being made in projects regarding e-taxi, Air Punjab and Murree Glass Train in the meeting.
Relevant authorities briefed that 10,000 livestock to widows and destitute women were provided across Punjab. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed to meet target to export 100,000 tons and further directed to establish ‘Foot and Mouth’ disease free zones to enhance trade. They apprised that every district in Punjab will have a live-stock OT centre under the ‘CM X-Ray Surgical Program’.
Chief Minister Punjab appreciated ‘Team Punjab’ for achieving public service goals, emphasizing that ministerial and administrative support was crucial for success. She said that Punjab’s initiatives received recognition at the ‘Pakistan Enclosure’ at COP-30 conference in Brazil.
She highlighted that from previously learning smog control from China, Punjab has now become a role model from which Philippines seeks expertise. She while highlighting importance of timely decisions regarding industrial uplift, denounced that past industrial estates were used for exploitation motives.
She underscored that establishing new industries should be approved immediately, keeping in view prescribed environmental standards. She asserted that no road or bridge across Punjab will remain in any dilapidated condition.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.