14 public welfare projects put on hold

FAISALABAD: At least 14 public welfare initiatives started under the previous divisional administration in Faisalabad have been put on hold, according to reports, amid criticism that the current administration has neither kept earlier reform efforts moving nor introduced major new public-focused projects.

Officials in the Commissioner’s Office said former commissioner Raja Jahangir Anwar had launched a range of programmes aimed at tackling civic issues across Faisalabad Division, which includes Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang and Chiniot.

Projects launched under previous administration

Among the initiatives was the Hello Faisalabad helpline, set up to improve coordination among public departments including the Municipal Corporation, Water and Sanitation Agency, Suthra Punjab Programme, Faisalabad Development Authority, Parks and Horticulture Authority, Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, and the Environment Protection Department.

The earlier administration had also begun an afforestation drive with a target of planting 100,000 trees across the division. It additionally introduced a vehicle-sharing and carpooling scheme for government use as part of austerity measures intended to cut official spending.

Plans were also announced for a network of libraries in urban and rural areas to encourage reading and educational activity. To address smog and dust pollution, the administration proposed developing Living Walls along 30 major roads in Faisalabad, with the first pilot project scheduled to start on May 1.

On March 30, the divisional administration launched the Plantation for Generations campaign, bringing together government departments and civil society organisations in an effort to improve environmental conditions and increase green cover.

Cultural, transport and business-related measures

Other projects included efforts to restore the historic horse-drawn tram service linking Buchiana in Jaranwala Tehsil with Ganga Pur village. A proposal for the scheme’s inclusion in Punjab’s Annual Development Programme was sent to the provincial government.

For traders and the wider business community, the previous administration had formed a Tax Rationalisation Committee to improve coordination among tax-related departments and address long-standing concerns over taxation procedures.

Several civic and cultural initiatives were also launched, including wall-painting campaigns featuring national and historical personalities, the Mera Sohna Shehar Faisalabad programme, and neighbourhood beautification bodies called Mohalla Sajao Committees.

The former commissioner had also encouraged inter-provincial harmony through educational and cultural engagement. Universities, including the University of Agriculture Faisalabad and Government College University Faisalabad, were encouraged to organise dialogue programmes for students from different provinces.

Official response

Muhammad Awais, information deputy director and spokesperson for the divisional administration, said he was unaware of any ongoing dialogue programmes involving Baloch students in universities. He added that official correspondence on the industry relocation plan initiated by the former commissioner had been forwarded to the Punjab government for further processing.