In a significant move to boost provincial development, the Punjab government has approved a substantial financial package for multiple public welfare projects. The Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) gave the green light to eight new development schemes with a combined estimated cost of Rs 14 billion. The approvals came during the body's 54th meeting of the current fiscal year, held in Lahore on Monday.
Major Infrastructure and Digital Initiatives Approved
Dr. Naeem Rauf, Chairman of the Planning and Development Board Punjab, presided over the crucial meeting. The session saw the approval of diverse projects spanning physical infrastructure and digital transformation. A key infrastructure project involves the widening, improvement, and restoration of an 11.45 km road from Habibabad to Shairgarh in Tehsil Pattoki, District Kasur. This vital connectivity project carries an estimated cost of Rs. 817.342 million.
On the technology front, a major revised scheme for the Establishment of a CERT & DR Datacenter was approved with an allocation of Rs. 1,445.262 million. This initiative is expected to significantly bolster the province's cybersecurity and data resilience capabilities.
Focus on Rural Water Supply and Sanitation
The bulk of the approved funding is directed towards a transformative initiative for rural communities. Multiple clusters of the Punjab Rural Sustainable Water Supply & Sanitation Project (PRSWSSP) Phase-0 received approval, representing a major investment in public health and rural infrastructure.
The approved clusters and their costs are:
- Cluster Centre (covering tehsils in Pakpattan, Bhakkar, Chiniot, and Jhang): Rs. 1,445.370 million
- Cluster South-III (covering Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, and Lodhran): Rs. 2,424.850 million
- Cluster South-I (Liaqatpur & Rohjan): Rs. 2,203.100 million
- Cluster North (Tehsil Noorpur Thal, Khushab): Rs. 1,169.630 million
- Cluster South-II (Tehsil Alipur, Shujabad & Taunsa): Rs. 2,601.000 million
- Another Cluster North (Tehsil Kot Momin, Sargodha): Rs. 1,263.960 million
Advancing Digital Governance and Data-Driven Policy
The PDWP meeting also endorsed the position papers for several forward-looking digital governance schemes. These include projects focused on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies for Governance, specifically for the creation of necessary posts. Other approved digital initiatives aim at the digitization of demand, supply, and price control monitoring for essential commodities across Punjab.
Furthermore, a project for the digitization, enhancement, and integration of various data systems to improve Management Information System (MIS) reports and enable data-driven decision-making was also given the nod. The meeting was attended by key officials including P&D Board Secretary Dr. Rafaqat Ali and Chief Economist Masood Anwar, along with board members and representatives from relevant provincial departments.
This wave of approvals underscores the provincial government's commitment to addressing critical infrastructure gaps, particularly in rural water and sanitation, while simultaneously investing in the digital backbone required for modern, efficient governance. The projects are expected to have a far-reaching impact on the quality of life for millions of citizens across multiple districts in Punjab.
