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BUREWALA, Dec 30 (APP): Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s Punjab Development Programme was formally launched in Burewala by Provincial Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafiq here Tuesday, an initiative laced with planning in advance to cater to the requirements of a projected population in 2050.
Addressing the ceremony at Divisional Public School, the provincial minister, who graced
the occasion as chief guest, termed the Punjab Development Programme an historic initiative, stating that it reflects the Chief Minister’s visionary and well-planned approach.
He said that in the past, development projects were carried out without comprehensive planning, adding that funds were spent, but permanent solutions to public issues were not prioritized.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s core idea, he added, was to resolve the basic problems
faced by citizens on a daily basis.
He highlighted that under the Suthra Punjab programme, cleanliness facilities were being provided equally in both urban and rural areas. In the initial phase, more than 15,000 streets in Lahore were constructed with an improved drainage system. Now, under the Chief Minister’s vision, these basic facilities are being extended uniformly to 52 cities across Punjab through a historic development package worth Rs 300 billion.
Under this programme, no street, neighbourhood, city or village in Punjab will remain deprived of clean drinking water, sewerage systems, road infrastructure, rainwater conservation facilities and other essential development services.
The programme has been planned keeping in view the population needs up to the year 2050, while newly installed sewerage lines are designed to remain functional for the next 100 years. Zeeshan Rafiq said such long-term planning had never been undertaken before, which Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has now made possible.
He further informed that additional projects worth Rs 200 billion will be executed in 16 cities under WASA authorities, while similar projects in another 16 cities will be completed with the cooperation of the World Bank. Underground water tanks will be constructed to conserve rainwater, and wastewater treatment plants will be established in every city to make sewerage water reusable. These projects will be completed in three phases between June 2026 and 2027. He claimed that due to the Chief Minister’s initiatives, the world is now compelled to follow Punjab’s development model.
Project Director Punjab Development Programme Brigadier (Retired) Asad Mahmood, Additional Secretary Local Government Ahrar Suhail Kaifi, Commissioner Multan Division Aamir Karim Khan and former MPA Sardar Khalid Mahmood Dogar also addressed the ceremony. Professor Karamat Ali Shakeel performed duties as stage secretary.
Additional Secretary Local Government Ahrar Suhail Kaifi stated that HDPE sewerage lines, with a lifespan of over 100 years, are being laid under the project. He said, underground water tanks would help improve groundwater levels and play a vital role in preventing urban flooding.
Project Director Brigadier (R) Asad Mahmood shared project details, stating that thousands of kilometres of sewerage lines, storm-water drains, disposal stations and underground water tanks are included in the programme. He revealed that a development package of Rs 9 billion has been allocated for Burewala alone, while Multan Division will receive a total of Rs 50 billion.
Commissioner Multan Division Rana Aamir Karim Khan said that the Punjab Development Programme aims to modernize urban life across Punjab, and all projects in Multan Division will be completed with transparency and quality in line with the Chief Minister’s vision.
Former MPA Sardar Khalid Mahmood Dogar also spoke and thanked Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for the development initiatives.
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Commissioner Vehari Khalid Javed Goraya, Members of Parliament Syed Sajid Mehdi Saleem, Chaudhry Yousaf Kasilia, Mian Saqib Khurshid, Suthra Punjab officials Arsalan Khan and District Incharge Kiran Khan, former MPAs Chaudhry Nazir Ahmed Arain, Chaudhry Faqir Ahmed Arain, Mian Irfan Daultana, Assistant Commissioner Burewala Captain (R) Arshad Iqbal, Assistant Commissioner Vehari Anum Akram, and notables.