Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered the immediate release of 400 million rupees for ongoing development projects, emphasizing the need for extensive work. She instructed the submission of all PC-Is (Project Cycle-I) by July 15th. She issued these directives during a meeting in the Planning and Development Board’s committee room.
Review of Annual Development Program 2024-2025
The assembly provided a detailed assessment of the Annual Development Program 2024-2025. Discussions covered numerous departments’ development tasks. Maryam Nawaz proposed the organization’s status quo for exporting meat, prawns, cattle, and clothes. She stressed the timely completion of all tasks and directed the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) to create an actual monitoring dashboard for those projects.
Submission Deadlines and Project Accountability
Maryam Nawaz reiterated the importance of submitting all project PC-Is by July 15th, highlighting the collective responsibility to complete projects on time. She underscored the need for transparency, quality, and strict monitoring of timelines in all projects. “If money can be spent on vehicles and offices, why not on hospitals?” she questioned, urging swift measures to revamp and renovate health.
New Initiatives and International Collaboration
The briefing revealed that ambulances would be initiated at every motorway interchange in Punjab. Additionally, 106 development projects will be completed with the assistance and cooperation of international organizations. The Chief Minister also instructed the release of remaining allocated funds based on fund utilization and ordered 25 percent of the universal health insurance funds to be released quarterly.
Detailed Project Breakdown and Deadlines
The meeting reviewed 83 projects of the District Development Committee and 431 projects of the Divisional Development Working Party. The Departmental Development Sub-Committee and the Provincial Development Working Party also discussed progress on 282 and 378 projects, respectively. Maryam Nawaz received detailed briefings on each department’s special schemes and issued specific directives.
She set an August 13th deadline for starting the construction of the 189-kilometer road from Chichawatni to Lia and the 93-kilometer highway from Multan to Vehari. Construction of the road from Sahiwal to Samundari and Bahawalnagar to Jhangara Sharqi Interchange will also commence by August 13th. While the Faisalabad-Chiniot-Sargodha road construction activities will begin on July 31st.
Commitment to MSMEs on International MSME Day
On International Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Day. Maryam Nawaz reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering a conducive environment for SMEs through business-friendly policies. She highlighted the critical role of investment in small businesses for economic stability and prosperity. The government is taking steps to overcome MSMEs’ challenges, focusing on logistical support, technology access, and market reach.
She emphasized that SMEs significantly contribute to Punjab’s GDP through their diverse manufacturing, service, and trade operations.
