Maryam Nawaz approves district development plans, orders province-wide beautification and anti-encroachment drive

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif chaired a six-hour-long special meeting Monday, during which she personally approved the district annual development programs for 12 districts across the province.

This marks the first time in Punjab’s history that a chief minister has directly overseen and approved such plans at the district level. The meeting, which was attended by commissioners and deputy commissioners from all over Punjab, focused on development projects, anti-encroachment operations, and urban beautification.

A follow-up meeting will be held today (May 20) to review development plans for the remaining districts. Discussions will include updates on anti-encroachment efforts and beautification campaigns. Maryam Nawaz emphasised that the elimination of encroachments and maintaining cleanliness remain significant challenges.

She assured the administrative machinery that commissioners and deputy commissioners have been granted full authority to act and that no political influence will be allowed to interfere with their decisions.

Highlighting the need for swift and visible progress, Maryam Nawaz stated that time is short and much work remains to be done to serve the people of Punjab. She stressed that public relief and satisfaction are the ultimate indicators of success. While noting that overall performance has been good, she acknowledged that there is still significant room for improvement. She also expressed disappointment that departments have not yet been completely rid of corruption, calling for a comprehensive and aggressive crackdown on corrupt practices.

Among the key decisions taken during the meeting were directives to build model rickshaw stands in every city, pay market rate compensation to land acquisition victims, and implement CCTV monitoring on reclaimed government lands.

Administrative officers have been ordered to conduct daily field visits to eliminate encroachments, while electricity poles are to be removed from roadways, and lane markings introduced to prevent temporary encroachments. Tough tile footpaths are to be built along all new roads, and fruit, vegetable, and grain markets will be relocated outside city centers.

Maryam Nawaz also issued instructions for the beautification of urban areas, including installation of one-color themed lighting, solar street lights on overhead bridges, and decorative planters. Urban forests and sports areas will be developed, and tree plantations of uniform species will be established between roads.

Several city-specific development projects were also approved. In Faisalabad, the historic Ghanta Ghar market will receive a full upgrade, and more electric vehicles will be introduced for public transport. In Rawalpindi, a plan for the urban uplift of Raja Bazaar was approved, alongside restoration of historic buildings in consultation with the Walled City Authority.

Sahiwal's Sadar and Pakpattan Bazaars are set to be modernized, with the general bus stand relocated. Multan will see the restoration of the 278-year-old Wali Muhammad Mosque, lifting of Sher Shah Interchange and Liaquatabad Road, and construction of 22 new bus stops. Development on the Multan Avenue along the Northern Bypass was reviewed, and orders were given to expedite the Chowk Ghanta Ghar renovation.

In Sialkot, plans were approved for the restoration of Iqbal Manzil and Bab Sialkot, and development of a fort on 17 kanals. Dera Ghazi Khan will get four electric carts, and its major markets and roads, including Shah Sikandar Road and Liaquat Bazaar, will undergo construction and expansion.

In Bahawalpur, the Farid Gate, Food Street, Satellite and Model Towns, and the 200-year-old Al-Sadiq Mosque will be beautified. In Rahim Yar Khan, interior markets will be upgraded with fiberglass roofing, mist fans, and water coolers.

The Chief Minister was also briefed that 6,416 kanals of state land worth Rs9.2 billion had been reclaimed in Faisalabad. In Gujranwala, 6,566 permanent encroachment structures were removed from 116 locations, and the solid waste dumping site on GT Road is set to be transformed into a green area. A Lahore-style food street has also been approved for Gujranwala.

Maryam Nawaz concluded by asserting that her government’s performance would not be measured against any previous administration, stating, “We will not compare ourselves even with our past.” She reiterated that the success of her administration lies in bringing visible improvement and relief to the lives of ordinary citizens across Punjab.