Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif set a new benchmark for governance in the province. She chaired a six-hour marathon meeting in which performance of all departments of Punjab was reviewed.
For the first time in history, Punjab achieved a significant milestone of saving Rs. 120 billion. Provincial ministers and secretaries presented detailed statistics, timelines and outcomes of ongoing projects. To open new avenues for development, it was decided to launch Thal Expressway Project, which will connect Gawadar and other areas to major development corridors. Authorities briefed that through 20,000 road projects across the province, over 50,000 people gained dignified employment. They apprised that a total of more than 30,000 km of roads will be constructed or repaired across Punjab, adding that historic 100-year special plastic sewage line project has also been launched.
Officials briefed that first phase of 440 Model Village construction is targeted for completion by December 2026. For the first time in Punjab’s history, construction of more than 115,000 homes under ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ program has been started. Additionally, the meeting also gave approval for establishment of Punjab’s first ‘Salt Village’.
Officials concerned briefed that in order to boost medicine industry, generate employment and open new avenues of modern development, Punjab would establish its first unique pharmaceutical zone.
They further briefed that in order to secure Punjab’s water future, 1,000 recharge wells and more than 100 underground storage water tanks will be constructed, adding that Vehari-Multan Road is targeted for completion by June. The meeting also approved that an additional 4,500 new filtration plants would be installed in hospitals, police stations and schools, adding that a unified helpline for WASA, PHA and other urban services would be set up.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed that safe drinking water should be ensured in households by the end of June. Officials concerned briefed that Punjab’s first Garment City project has been completed, attracting strong interest from investors. The Punjab government also granted principle approval to cancel plots in industrial zones for not establishing industries for two years. They apprised that through ‘Asaan Business Card’ and ‘Asaan Business Finance’ programs, loans worth Rs 60 billion have been disbursed, boosting over 110,000 businesses in the province.
Chief Minister Punjab directed Model Agri Mall to become fully operational within three months as a result of which 3100 farmers switched their tube wells to solar energy. She directed to ensure timely completion of Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research project and reviewed restoration plan of Punjab Institute of Mental Health. Officials briefed that Punjab Medical City will also feature a Genetic Blood Diseases, Surgical Orthopedic Center and a Burn Hospital, adding that nearly 300,000 heart patients across the province received medicines by achieving 96 percent stipulated target.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed rapid expansion of e-bus service and construction of bus shelters in nine additional cities. Officials concerned further briefed about progress being made in projects regarding e-taxi, Air Punjab and Murree Glass Train in the meeting.
Relevant authorities briefed that 10,000 livestock to widows and destitute women were provided across Punjab. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed to meet target to export 100,000 tons and further directed to establish ‘Foot and Mouth’ disease free zones to enhance trade.
They apprised that every district in Punjab will have a live-stock OT center under the ‘CM X-Ray Surgical Program’. Chief Minister Punjab appreciated ‘Team Punjab’ for achieving public service goals, emphasizing that ministerial and administrative support was crucial for success. She said that Punjab’s initiatives received recognition at the ‘Pakistan Enclosure’ at COP-30 conference in Brazil.
