LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday accorded approval to the launch of multi-billion rupee development projects across the province through districts’ own financial resources under the District Development Plan.
“The amount of work visible on the ground is not what it should have been. The public must get relief,” she said, adding that commissioners were the “eyes, ears and arms” of the government and must fulfil their responsibilities. She directed the commissioners to ensure visible progress on the ground and strict monitoring of public welfare schemes.
Addressing commissioners, the CM said, “No eyewash, we need actual ground work. Commissioners should now be visible in the field instead of sitting in air-conditioned rooms.”
She stressed that commissioners must ensure strict monitoring of all KPIs and said administrative powers also carried responsibility. She directed district administrations to ensure deep cleaning operations in all tehsils and observed that although some officers were performing well, others were merely creating an “eyewash.”
The chief minister said there would be no room for negligence and that all monitoring mechanisms must be strong enough to eliminate shortcomings. She also ruled out favouritism and directed officials to work strictly on merit.
Chairing an important meeting of commissioners, the chief minister ordered that all districts be made financially empowered and autonomous.
The commissioners of Sahiwal, Sargodha, and Faisalabad and Multan divisions briefed the meeting participants on available resources and proposed development schemes.
The CM expressed displeasure over the death of a three-year-old girl who fell into an open ditch in a private housing society in Faisalabad Division and ordered strict action against negligent housing society owners. She directed that private housing societies should submit monthly affidavits confirming that no open manholes exist in their areas and warned that if any citizen fell into a manhole, society owners would be arrested. She also directed authorities to issue notices to all private housing societies across Punjab and ordered strict monitoring of government and private school buildings.
The chief minister further instructed that all construction sites must be properly cordoned off in accordance with standard operating procedures to avoid accidents.
During the briefing, the meeting was informed that Sahiwal division had Rs4 billion available under local government funds. Development projects worth Rs1.12 billion would be launched in Sahiwal city and adjoining areas.
The meeting was told that 10 major roads spanning 18.8 kilometres would be constructed in Sahiwal at a cost of Rs862 million and that repair and reconstruction work on roads would be completed by September 2026. Old urban roads that had exceeded their lifespan would also be rebuilt according to modern standards, while farm-to-market roads would be constructed in rural areas. Projects include a 3.2-kilometre road from DPO Chowk to DPS Chowk, upgradation of Farid Town Road and construction of Sher Dil Chowk to Samundari Road.
The CM directed authorities to ensure international-standard roads in Sahiwal and expressed concern over deteriorating road conditions.
The meeting was further informed that roads from Harappa Road to DPS Road and from Girls College to Bhaiya Chowk would also be built. The chief minister made it mandatory to construct pavements level with roads.
In Chichawatni, two major roads, Ahmad Nagar Bypass and Girls College Bypass Road would be built, while roads in Chak 138/9-L and Chak 186/9-L would also be constructed.
The CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz directed authorities to beautify Chichawatni Chowk and convert the main market into a model bazaar, warning that encroachments outside shops would not be tolerated.
She also ordered the construction of an attractive entry point at the entrance of Sahiwal city. In Okara, Papli Pahar Road would be upgraded and a road from Gogera to Thatta Sarang would be constructed. Solar streetlights would also be installed on Main Akbar Road and floodlights at Jinnah Stadium.
The meeting approved five urban, five rural and four beautification schemes for Pakpattan. The briefing said Northern-Southern Bypass and Malka Hans Road would be constructed, while a sports arena would be established in front of the cricket stadium and DPO office.
The chief minister directed authorities to install solar lights along Pakpattan canal banks and beautify the surroundings. All 17 schemes in Sahiwal division have been targeted for completion by September 2026.
The meeting also approved development projects worth Rs2.8 billion for Sargodha division from local revenues, including construction of Shahpur Lak Morr Road and beautification of Bhera. An entry point at Sial Morr Motorway Interchange and a pedestrian bridge on Sargodha University Road would also be built.
The chief minister ordered acceleration of Safe City camera installation in Sargodha. The briefing further stated that access to Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology would be improved and Rahman Pura Road upgraded.
The CM directed completion of all Sargodha division schemes by September 30 and ordered uniform standards for development projects across Punjab.
The meeting was informed that Faisalabad division had Rs5.3 billion in local resources available. Work would be undertaken on 59 schemes, including 38 roads stretching over 81 kilometres. Jhang Road Bypass would also be upgraded.
The chief minister ordered end-to-end pavement construction in Faisalabad.
For Multan division, the meeting approved completion of 28 schemes in four districts at a cost of Rs3 billion.
The CM Punjab issued strict instructions that no compromise would be tolerated on the quality of work in any development project.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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