On the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, it has been decided to start development schemes in 66 cities of Punjab from the beginning of the new financial year. In this regard, instructions were issued regarding the Chief Minister Cities Development Program during a video link meeting held at the Civil Secretariat, Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq in chair. Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Additional Secretary Ahmar Kaifi, PMDFC MD and Deputy Commissioners of various districts also participated.
Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafiq directed that the concerned Deputy Commissioners should keep the model of Lahore Development Program in mind. He clarified that there will be no additional recruitment for the Cities Development Program except for technical experts and only the available human resources will be utilized. "The Local Government Department will complete this mega project in collaboration with Public Health Engineering", he vowed. Zeeshan Rafiq said that in the next phase, 110 more cities will be included in the program. "In every city, 100 percent of the dirt roads will be paved or repaired. Along with the construction and repair of connection roads, a comprehensive sewage system will be introduced", he elaborated.
Zeeshan Rafiq said that copies of PC-1 have been sent to the relevant municipal bodies. "Deputy Commissioners will start tendering from July by giving suggestions on PC-1", he urged. He said that Deputy Commissioners have also been made members of the steering committee. "Under the program, he added, "disposal stations will be made solarized. Sewerage problems will be solved by keeping in mind the needs of the population by 2050". The Minister for Local Government said that in the past only partial schemes were completed in cities however for the first time, an end-to-end solution for sanitation will be provided. "In addition to rainwater drainage, storage tanks will also be built. Restoration of parks will also be included in the project" he remarked. The Minister directed that transparency should be taken care of while implementing the project on the timeline.
On this occasion, Secretary Local Government Punjab Shakeel Ahmed Mian said that e-tendering and digital payment methods should be implemented in the program. "Deputy Commissioners should meet this challenge with the spirit of public service". He directed that before the construction of the streets, Sui Gas, electricity companies and cable network institutions should complete their work. "After the completion of the work, he warned, "digging will be prohibited without the NOC of the district administration". He said that the use of safe and durable sewer pipes is the highlight of this program. Shakeel Ahmed Mian said that the benefits of HTP lined sewer pipes will last for the next 100 years.