Lahore – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has formed a steering committee to monitor the Cities Development Program. The committee will be led by Provincial Minister for Local Government, Zeeshan Rafique. Special Assistant to CM Zeeshan Malik, Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian, and other officials are also part of the committee.
Minister Zeeshan Rafique visited the Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC) and reviewed the progress of the program. Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian and Additional Secretary Ahmer Sohail Kayani were also present. PMDFC Managing Director Syed Zahid Aziz gave a detailed briefing on the Chief Minister’s Cities Development Program.
Minister Zeeshan Rafique said that surveys have been completed in all small and large cities across 35 districts of Punjab. He added that this is another mega project of the Maryam Nawaz-led government, aiming to improve sewerage, drainage, rainwater storage, parks, and street repair in urban areas. The drainage systems will also be shifted to solar energy.
He explained that in the first phase, 59 cities will be upgraded, while the second phase will cover 110 more. The project, being launched with support from the World Bank, is expected to solve long-standing municipal service problems in the cities.
The minister said the CM has directed that the project must be completed in 50 cities by next year. He instructed PMDFC to prepare the PC-1 for each city quickly. He also said that the provincial steering committee will consult with local elected representatives for necessary decisions. At the district level, a similar committee will work under the Deputy Commissioner.
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Zeeshan Rafique announced that for the first time, a dual drainage system will be introduced in each city. Special sewerage lines will help protect underground water from contamination.
On this occasion, Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian said the Lahore Development Program should be used as a model for this project. He added that existing human resources will be used for most tasks, and only essential new hiring will be done. He expressed the commitment to complete the project within two years, which will meet the urban service needs of the next 25 years.
