LAHORE: The Punjab government has issued tenders for development schemes in 13 cities as part of the first phase of the Punjab Development Programme (PDP).
This information was shared during a meeting chaired by Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique on Thursday. The meeting was attended by Special Secretary Arshad Baig, Project Director Brigadier Asad Mahmood, and Additional Secretary Ahmar Kaifi, who reviewed the progress made in the PDP thus far.
During the meeting, the Minister emphasised that the Punjab Development Programme is a significant initiative aimed at providing municipal facilities across cities. The project will include the construction and repair of drainage and sewage systems in both small and large cities.
Additionally, underground tanks for rainwater storage will be constructed, and the rehabilitation of roads and streets along with the installation of street lights will be carried out. The PDP aims to offer a comprehensive solution to the rising issue of urban flooding, he added.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering municipal services to 200 cities in Punjab over multiple phases. He instructed the project director to adhere to the timeline, stressing that there should be no compromise on transparency, quality, or speed during the project’s execution. He also mentioned that chief officers of the relevant municipal bodies should be involved in the scheme’s implementation.
Separately, the Minister held a meeting to review the ongoing process of issuing Maryam Nawaz Ration Cards to Suthra Punjab workers. Punjab Labour Secretary Naeem Ghaus, Punjab Employees Social Security Institution (PESSI) Commissioner Muhammad Ali, and representatives from Punjab Bank attended this meeting.
The Minister stated that there are currently 100,000 Suthra Punjab workers registered with PESSI, and those who meet the eligibility criteria will receive ration cards. He added that the Punjab government has committed to covering the contributions for workers with tenures of less than six months, meaning that those with only three months of tenure will also be eligible for the ration cards.
During the meeting, it was decided to form a committee to address technical issues which will include representatives from the local government, PESSI, Punjab Bank, and the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB).
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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