Punjab government has approved development projects worth billions of rupees for various districts of southern Punjab and other cities of the province. The projects were approved in a meeting of Divisional Commissioners, which Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over here on Friday, disclosed an official.
The meeting was told that the projects are aimed at benefiting maximum people as well as ensuring early availability of education, health, infrastructure, sewerage and other facilities to the masses. Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that all out resources are being utilised for a rapid progress of the province and special attention is being paid on the provision of basic amenities to the masses. He also said funds are being provided to education and health sectors on priority basis.
"Special attention is being paid to the uplift of backward areas and huge funds have been allocated under special package for the completion of high profile projects. The funds allocated for education sector is not expenditure but investment for the development and betterment of future generation. Transparency, high standard of construction work and speedy completion of development projects is the policy of the government which is being strictly implemented," he remarked.
Granting approval to the development projects, Shahbaz directed that committees comprising elected representatives should be constituted in all districts to monitor pace of implementation of the projects. He added that these committees should review the pace of progress of the projects on monthly basis whereas he will monitor these projects every two months.
He also said that a high standard of infrastructure should be ensured and drains should be an essential feature of all sewerage projects. Tree plantation and culture of beatification of development projects should also be promoted so that they become pleasant to see. Education and health projects should be completed on priority basis, he maintained.
On the occasion, the chief minister announced that three Danish schools will be inaugurated in southern Punjab in January while in the second phase, foundation stone of Danish school in Dera Ghazi Khan will be laid on January 3. Foundation stone of Daanish Schools in Rajanpur and Jand in Attock district will be laid soon. He directed the divisional commissioners to personally supervise development schemes for ensuring a timely and transparent completion.
Earlier, divisional commissioners presented high profile projects in education, health, infrastructure, water supply and drainage sectors in their respective areas, which were granted approval by the meeting. These projects include by-passes, construction and widening of roads, up-gradation of rural and basic health centres and DHQs hospitals, water supply and sewerage schemes, as well as setting up new colleges and vocational institutes.
Senior Advisor Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa, Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, Member National Assembly Hamza Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning and Development, Secretaries of Finance, Health, Communication and Works, Higher Education and senior officers were present on the occasion.