Maryam Nawaz seeks weekly reports on Punjab development projects

LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed the local government department to submit weekly progress reports on the Punjab Development Programme and ongoing schemes in 51 cities.

Chairing a meeting, the chief minister said detailed weekly updates should be presented to monitor the pace of work, including progress on model village projects. She was informed during the meeting that development schemes were under way in 51 cities under the Punjab Local Government and Community Development Department.

Officials told the meeting that plans had been made to provide essential machinery to improve municipal services. The equipment includes desilting machines, 45 jetting machines and 100 dewatering sets.

Maryam Nawaz also ordered that waste containers and garbage drums be cleaned regularly.

During the briefing, officials said installation of the province’s first high-density polyethylene pipeline plant would begin on April 20. They added that another similar plant would also be set up in South Punjab.

A visual review of development work in each tehsil was carried out through a gallery presentation at the meeting, while a live dashboard displayed financial and physical progress reports for all projects.

The chief minister said more projects had been completed in the past two years than in the previous five years. She said that after the early completion of water and sanitation schemes, attention should fully shift towards urban beautification projects.

Statement on Iran-US talks

Separately, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said in social media posts that as negotiations between Iran and the United States began in Islamabad to end their war, the moment had strengthened national unity and filled Pakistanis with pride.

She said that due to what she described as the unmatched reconciliatory efforts of Pakistan’s leadership, many innocent lives were protected and the world was spared a major tragedy. "This is the true essence of real leadership," she remarked.

Maryam Nawaz further said that few could have imagined the country would play a leading role on the global stage, yet today this vision had become a reality.