Latest news with #PunjabDevelopmentProgramme
Business Recorder
15 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Scope of model village will be expanded: Minister
LAHORE: Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique has said that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is simultaneously focusing on the development of cities and villages and thus the scope of the Punjab Development Programme (PDP) and Model Village will be expanded gradually. He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting held on Wednesday; Additional Secretary Ahmer Kaifi was also present. On this occasion, Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC) MD Syed Zahid Aziz briefed about the PDP, while Punjab Rural Municipal Development Company CEO Asadullah gave a briefing regarding the Model Village Programme. The meeting considered various suggestions for taking forward the Chief Minister's Model Village Programme. While addressing the meeting, the Minister said the Punjab government will complete sanitation, drainage and street paving schemes in cities and villages under both projects, adding that the provision of these facilities will improve the standard of living of the citizens. He noted that under the Suthra (Clean) Punjab programme, sanitation facilities are already available in every village. He said that union councils play a fundamental role in providing basic civic services; hence, these will be transformed into service centres across Punjab so that people can get essential services near their homes. He added that, on the special instructions of the Chief Minister, the procedure of birth and death certificates has been further simplified and made more accessible across Punjab; citizens can obtain certificates from home through an app. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
10 new agencies to help combat urban flooding
The government has moved to strengthen the province's drainage infrastructure by establishing 10 new Water and Sanitation Agencies (WASA) under the Punjab Development Programme, aiming to curb urban flooding and standardise sewerage systems. According to the Housing Department, the Finance Department has released the required funds, and appointments have been made for key posts, including managing directors, deputy managing directors, and directors of administration and finance. All newly formed agencies are expected to be operational by August 15. District transition teams will oversee the transfer of existing drainage resources to the new agencies, with immediate attention given to repairing sewerage systems in high-priority areas. The agencies will also be tasked with developing disposal stations, water supply systems, and research and development units, as well as deploying trained field staff. A dedicated helpline will be launched for citizens to lodge complaints, while technical research and engineering solutions will be used to address the root causes of urban flooding. The housing department said these measures will be supported by integrated planning and resource optimisation to ensure long-term sustainability. More WASA agencies are planned for additional districts. The provincial government will seek approval from the Provincial Development Working Party for new sewerage and drainage projects in Multan, Hafizabad, Okara, Jhang, Jhelum, Sargodha, and Dera Ghazi Khan. Proposals include Phase 2 of the Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Investment Program, rehabilitation of Disposal Station 9 in Multan, and the development of stormwater drainage systems in multiple districts. Work on sewerage and drainage infrastructure is already underway across Punjab.
Express Tribune
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pindi's sewerage system revamp on the cards
The Punjab government plans to address Rawalpindi's longstanding water shortage by completing the Chirah Dam (28 MGD), Chahan Dam (17 MGD), and Dadocha Dam (35 MGD) water supply projects. Additionally, 40pc of the city's sewerage system will be upgraded to 100pc, and rainwater harvesting systems will be expanded. These announcements were made by Punjab Housing Secretary Noorul Amin Mengal during a meeting in Rawalpindi, attended by DG WASA Punjab Tayyab Fareed, MD WASA Rawalpindi Muhammad Saleem Ashraf, and other officials. The meeting reviewed the master plan for Rawalpindi's water and sewerage system, being developed under the Punjab Development Programme. Secretary Mengal stated that WASA will install new surface water treatment plants and upgrade the water distribution network in Rawalpindi. He added that rainwater harvesting systems and underground water storage tanks will be established to conserve rainwater, and sewage and stormwater from drains will be treated and reused for agriculture. Wastewater treatment plants will be installed at sewage drain outlets, including Nala Lai. Mengal emphasised smart resource utilisation and collaborative planning with relevant departments.
Business Recorder
26-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab govt launches ‘smart water plan' for Lahore
LAHORE: The Punjab government has launched an ambitious smart water management plan aimed at eliminating wastewater discharge into the River Ravi and achieving a waste-free water supply for Lahore. The plan includes the construction of six wastewater treatment plants at key outfall locations throughout the city. In the first phase, construction will begin on two major plants: the Babu Sabu plant, with an estimated cost of around Rs 60 billion, and the Kattar Bund plant, with estimated cost of Rs 23 billion. Both projects will be funded by international donor agencies. To discuss these initiatives, Punjab's Secretary for Housing, Urban Development, and Public Health, Noor ul Amin Mengal, chaired a meeting where Lahore Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA) Managing Director Ghufran Ahmad provided an overview of the proposed plan. Planning minister apprises World Bank official about India's 'water weaponisation' designs During the meeting, the Secretary stated that once these treatment plants are completed, wastewater in Lahore will be fully reusable, significantly improving water quality. He explained, 'Instead of discharging sewage into the Ravi or canals, the treated water will be repurposed for agricultural use.' He also directed relevant departments to develop a coordinated plan for the agricultural reuse of water and stressed, 'Smart utilization of resources is crucial. Under the direction of the Punjab Chief Minister, we are addressing issues across all districts equally to ensure sustainable development and access to clean water for all.' In a separate meeting, WASA Punjab Director General Tayyab Fareed and WASA Rawalpindi Managing Director Saleem Ashraf provided an update on the master plan designed to revamp Rawalpindi's water and sewerage system. They reported that work is actively underway to develop a comprehensive water supply and sewerage master plan for Rawalpindi under the Punjab Development Programme. A critical component of this plan is the construction of the Chirah Dam, which will add 28 million gallons of water per day to the city's supply. Additionally, WASA Rawalpindi will install surface water treatment plants and develop a modern water distribution network to ensure all residents have access to clean water, as currently only 40 percent of the city's sewerage system is operational. The Secretary emphasized that this coverage would be expanded to 100 percent and that underground water tanks would be constructed throughout the city for efficient rainwater management. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
22-07-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
CM, PA deputy speaker discuss political situation, development projects
LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channer in which matters pertaining to the overall political situation, ongoing development projects in South Punjab were discussed in detail. Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channer paid tribute to the chief minister for ensuring construction and rehabilitation of roads in the province. He also expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for establishing a Burn Centre in Bahawalpur. He appreciated the establishment of field hospitals, clinics on wheels, Maryam Nawaz Health Clinic project across Punjab and termed the vision of equal development of every city under the Punjab Development Programme as a game changer. Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly also paid tribute to the chief minister for launching air ambulance service, establishing field hospitals and steps being taken to eliminate encroachments across Punjab. On this occasion, in-principle approval was given to establish a children's hospital in Bahawalpur in view of dire needs of the people. It was agreed to construct a children's hospital near the Civil Hospital Bahawalpur. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif sought a plan of launching Bahawalpur Children's Hospital project. The chief minister while talking on the occasion said, 'Development projects of Punjab are our foremost priority. The Punjab government is providing basic facilities to the people of South Punjab at their doorstep.' Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly acknowledged that under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Punjab is set on the path of real development. He appreciated that people-friendly decisions are the hallmark of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's government. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
