Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday approved the launch of multi-billion rupee development projects across the province under the District Development Plan and directed commissioners to ensure visible progress on the ground along with strict monitoring of public welfare schemes.
Chairing a meeting of divisional commissioners, here, the CM ordered all districts to be financially empowered and autonomous. Commissioners of Sahiwal, Sargodha, Faisalabad and Multan divisions briefed the meeting on available resources and proposed development projects.
CM Maryam Nawaz also expressed displeasure over the death of a three-year-old girl who fell into an open ditch in a private housing society in Faisalabad division and ordered strict action against negligent housing society owners. She directed all private housing societies to submit monthly affidavits confirming that no open manholes existed in their areas and warned that if any citizen fell into a manhole, the concerned owners would be arrested.
She further directed authorities to issue notices to private housing societies across Punjab and ensure strict monitoring of government and private school buildings. All construction sites, she said, must be properly cordoned off in accordance with standard operating procedures to prevent accidents.
Addressing commissioners, the chief minister said, “No eyewash, we need actual ground work. Commissioners should now be visible in the field instead of sitting in air-conditioned rooms.” She stressed that administrative authority also carried responsibility and directed district administrations to ensure deep-cleaning operations in all tehsils. “The amount of work visible on the ground is not what it should have been. The public must receive relief,” she said, adding that commissioners were the “eyes, ears and arms” of the government.
CM Maryam Nawaz ruled out favouritism and directed all officers to work strictly on merit. She also ordered strengthening of monitoring mechanisms to eliminate shortcomings and warned that no negligence would be tolerated.
During the briefing, the meeting was informed that Sahiwal division had Rs4 billion available under local government funds, while development projects worth Rs1.12 billion would be launched in Sahiwal city and adjoining areas. 10 major roads spanning 18.8 kilometres would be constructed at a cost of Rs862 million and repair and reconstruction work would be completed by September 2026.
Projects included construction of a 3.2-kilometre road from DPO Chowk to DPS Chowk, upgradation of Farid Town Road and construction of Sher Dil Chowk to Samundari Road. The chief minister directed authorities to ensure international-standard roads in Sahiwal and ordered reconstruction of old urban roads and construction of farm-to-market roads in rural areas.
The meeting was informed that roads from Harappa Road to DPS Road and from Girls College to Bhaiya Chowk would also be built. CM Maryam Nawaz made it mandatory to construct pavements level with roads.
In Chichawatni, Ahmad Nagar Bypass and Girls College Bypass Road would be constructed along with roads in Chak 138/9-L and Chak 186/9-L. The chief minister directed authorities to beautify Chichawatni Chowk and convert the main market into a model bazaar, while warning against encroachments.
The meeting was further informed that in Okara, Papli Pahar Road would be upgraded and a road from Gogera to Thatta Sarang constructed. Solar streetlights would also be installed on Main Akbar Road and floodlights at Jinnah Stadium. For Pakpattan, the meeting approved five urban, five rural and four beautification schemes, including construction of Northern-Southern Bypass and Malka Hans Road. A sports arena would also be established near the cricket stadium and DPO office. All 17 schemes in Sahiwal division are expected to be completed by September 2026.
The meeting also approved development projects worth Rs2.8 billion for Sargodha division from local revenues, including construction of Shahpur Lak Morr Road and beautification of Bhera. An entry point at Sial Morr Motorway Interchange and a pedestrian bridge on Sargodha University Road would also be built.
The CM directed authorities to accelerate installation of Safe City cameras in Sargodha. The briefing further stated that access to Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology would be improved and Rahman Pura Road upgraded. In Khushab, a family park and bus stand would be established in Quaidabad, while roads in Bhakkar city would be upgraded. Development projects in Darya Khan include revamping of Kallar Kot Road, a kids’ area, ladies park and bus station, besides beautification of Mankera entry point and installation of streetlights on Mianwali Road.
CM Maryam Nawaz directed completion of all Sargodha division schemes by September 30 and ordered adoption of uniform standards for development projects across Punjab. The meeting was informed that Faisalabad division had Rs5.3 billion available in local resources and work would be carried out on 59 schemes, including construction and rehabilitation of 38 roads stretching over 81 kilometres. Jhang Road Bypass would also be upgraded.
The CM directed authorities to ensure end-to-end pavement construction in Faisalabad. The briefing stated that Dijkot-Tandlianwala Road would be reconstructed and the Small Industrial Estate improved. Footpaths would also be built on Jaranwala-Satyana Link Road, while end-to-end roads would be developed in Toba Tek Singh and Gojra. In Chiniot, seven roads would be improved along with city beautification projects, while streetlights and road conditions on Jhang Road would also be upgraded.
For Multan division, the meeting approved 28 schemes in four districts at a cost of Rs3 billion. Roads from Ghanta Ghar to Chungi No 9 and from Dera Adda to Aziz Hotel in Multan would undergo end-to-end upgradation, while Askari Bypass Old Shujaabad Road would be widened into a dual carriageway. Other approved projects include improvement of Fawara Chowk to Girls Degree College Road and Permit Road, as well as upgradation of the road from Pull Rangu to Pull Barkatabad.