485 villages being developed into 'model villages': Minister

LAHORE: Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique disclosed that 485 villages are being developed into ‘model villages’ under the ‘Maryam Nawaz’s Sohna (Beautiful) Punjab’ programme.

“Development schemes in 19 of these villages have been fully completed,” he said during a meeting he presided over on Friday to review the Model Village Programme.

The meeting was attended by Special Secretary Syed Musa Raza and Additional Secretary Mehreen Faheem Abbasi, while Punjab Rural Municipal Services Company (PRMSC) CEO Khurram Pervez provided a briefing.

Rafique expressed satisfaction, noting that 67 percent of the work to transform an additional 281 villages into model villages has already been completed. He emphasised that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is providing all necessary funding for the Model Village Programme.

“Streets are being paved in every model village, and a children’s park will also be constructed. In addition to installing street lights, a sewage system will be developed,” he added.

Rafique also mentioned that water schemes will be implemented in villages experiencing issues with clean drinking water. “The scope of the model village initiative will gradually expand upon the completion of the first phase,” he stated.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026