CM Maryam touts transparency as Punjab saved Rs80b in mega development drive

• Punjab CM sets June 30 deadline for completion of sewerage and drainage projects

• Province-wide ban imposed on leaving roads dug up after excavation work

• Over 838,000 manholes geo-tagged; safety net installation under way

• Rs204b development programme advances with over 57pc work completed in multiple districts

 LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Saturday said that 100 percent transparency and 100 percent quality remained the defining features of the PML-N governance model, revealing that Rs80 billion had been saved through e-tendering under the Punjab Development Programme—the largest development initiative in Pakistan’s history.

The chief minister emphasized that public funds were a sacred trust and must be safeguarded and utilized with utmost responsibility. She stressed that roads, streets and neighbourhoods could not be left dug up, as such negligence caused serious inconvenience to citizens, said a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

Chairing a video-link review meeting on development projects, Maryam Nawaz fixed June 30 as the deadline for completing all sewerage and drainage schemes across the province. She also imposed a province-wide ban on leaving excavation work incomplete or roads open after digging, the CMO said.

The chief minister directed authorities to ensure the earliest installation of protective nets and meshes on all manholes and approved the involvement of traders and civil society in the manhole safety campaign.

During the briefing, officials informed the meeting that desilting operations and underground water recharge systems had been integrated into underground water storage tanks. Geo-tagging of 838,555 manholes across Punjab had been completed, while installation of protective nets and meshes was in progress. More than 3,000 manholes had already been fitted with safety nets.

For the first time, large-scale desilting of drainage channels and sewerage lines had been undertaken in 41 cities of Punjab, resulting in the removal of 550 tons of silt and sludge.

The meeting was informed that 91 jetting and suction machines, 77 desilting machines and 100 dewatering sets were currently being deployed across the province to improve drainage and sanitation services.

Under the Punjab Development Programme, work on Phase I and Phase II projects, estimated at Rs204 billion, was progressing rapidly. More than 57 percent of Phase I work had been completed in Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujrat, Okara, Jhang, Multan and Sialkot. Similarly, over 57 percent progress had been achieved under Phase II in Jhelum, Hafizabad, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib and Rawalpindi, the statement said.

Officials further informed the meeting that a 196-kilometre drainage network had been developed for rainwater disposal, while cleaning of 3,497 kilometres of sewerage lines had been completed. In addition, 110 underground water storage tanks with a combined capacity of 24.5 million gallons had been completed and 200,000 new manhole covers installed across Punjab.

Reiterating that protection of public funds remained the government's foremost priority, the chief minister directed all departments to ensure the timely completion of ongoing projects.

Calls for peace, solidarity with refugees on World Refugee Day

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said that becoming a refugee was not a crime but a painful compulsion, stressing that no one chose displacement willingly.

In her message on World Refugee Day, she said people were often forced to leave their homes, land and shelter in order to save their lives.

“No one becomes a refugee by choice. One has to abandon one’s courtyard, one’s soil and one’s roof to survive,” she said.

The chief minister observed that while wars eventually came to an end, the suffering of displaced people and the trauma of homelessness often lingered for generations.

Referring to the plight of refugees from Palestine and Syria, Maryam Nawaz said their prolonged displacement remained a serious test of humanity’s conscience. She emphasized that refugees seeking protection were not weak, but victims of oppression and conflict.

She noted that Pakistan, despite limited resources, had hosted millions of refugees with dignity and generosity.

The chief minister said Pakistan had always stood by oppressed communities and would continue to raise its voice for the welfare, protection and rights of refugees worldwide.

Expressing hope for a more peaceful world, she said oppression must end and every individual should be able to live safely and peacefully in their own city and home.

CM condemns Bannu bomb blast

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz strongly condemned the bomb blast in Bannu and expressed profound sorrow over the loss of innocent lives.

In a statement, she conveyed deep grief and anguish over the deaths of civilians in the attack and extended heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families.

The chief minister also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and expressed solidarity with the affected families during their difficult time.

Takes notice of drowning incident in River Jhelum

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz took notice of the tragic drowning of a woman and her three daughters in the River Jhelum.

She directed authorities to mobilize all available resources for the search operation and instructed the Deputy Commissioner Jhang to personally oversee and monitor rescue efforts.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif also prayed for the safe recovery of the three missing girls.