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Business Recorder
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
CM forms body to oversee Punjab cities' uplift programme
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has formed a provincial steering committee headed by Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq to oversee the cities development programme. Among the other members are Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Zeeshan Malik and Punjab Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian. The steering committee established at the provincial level will also take necessary decisions in consultation with the local elected representatives while the steering committee in each district will also work under the chairmanship of the deputy commissioner. Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq's disclosed this during his visit to the Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC) to review the progress on the programme on Monday. Punjab Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian and Additional Secretary Ahmar Sohail Kaifi were also present. On this occasion, PMDFC MD Syed Zahid Aziz gave a briefing on the cities development programme. On this occasion, he said the survey for development works has been completed in all the small and big cities of the 35 districts of Punjab. 'This is another mega project of the Punjab government, under which the construction and repair of sewerage, drainage, rainwater storage, parks and streets in urban areas will be completed, while the drainage system will be converted to solar energy,' he added. He observed that the chief minister is following the province's policy of uniform development; in the first phase, 59 cities will be upgraded, and in the second phase, 110 cities will be upgraded. He averred that the project which is devised with the support of the World Bank will end the problems of basic services in cities that have been going missing for years. 'The chief minister has ordered the completion of the project in 50 cities by next year. The PMDFC should complete the PC-1 of each city during the current month, and the steering committee established at the provincial level will also take necessary decisions in consultation with the local elected representatives,' he added. He averred that a drainage by-system is being introduced in every city for the first time, laying special sewer lines will protect groundwater from possible contamination. On this occasion, the secretary, while directing to keep in mind the model of Lahore Development Programme, said that most of the available human resources will be utilised for the cities development programme and only new recruitment will be made for essential posts. He expressed his determination that the entire project will be completed within two years, which will meet the municipal needs of the cities for the next 25 years. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
22-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab to lay concrete sewer liners in all cities
LAHORE: Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq has said that they have decided to lay a concrete protection liner for sewer lines for the first time in small and big cities for the smooth functioning of the sewer. 'Laying a pipeline of at least 30 inches will help resolve frequent complaints of sewer blockages,' he said while presiding over a meeting held here on Monday. Punjab Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Special Secretary Asia Gul and Additional Secretary Development Ahmer Kaifi were also present. On this occasion, Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC) Managing Director Syed Zahid Aziz briefed the meeting on the progress of the Chief Minister's Punjab Cities Development Programme. While addressing the meeting, the Minister said that internationally renowned companies manufacturing concrete protection liners should transfer their technology to Pakistan. 'The entire country, along with Punjab, will benefit from the development of large sewer pipelines in Pakistan. The relevant companies will be invited to set up concrete liner plants in Punjab,' he added. 'Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered to solve the municipal problems of 169 cities. A rainwater storage and sewage bypass plan is being prepared for each city for the first time. Due to the bypass system, the polluted sewage water will not mix with the groundwater,' he said. He directed the PMDFC to remove technical shortcomings within two days in the presentation, saying that PC-1 of 59 cities should be completed by May next month, adding that state-of-the-art schemes will be executed in the remaining 110 cities soon. He expressed his determination that the municipal needs of all cities would be met for the next 50 years. 'Rehabilitation of streets, solarisation of the drainage system and preparation of green areas are also part of this project,' he added. Moreover, he hoped that with the cooperation of the World Bank, a beautiful face of Punjab would emerge with the completion of this mega project. On this occasion, the Punjab Local Government Secretary directed that the life of each sewer should be from 50 to 100 years. 'Special care should be taken that the sewer lines that are laid should not be affected by any other scheme in the future. The major problem of cities is the poor sewer system, and that is our focus. We will ensure the completion of all schemes within the timeframe set by the Chief Minister,' he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
