Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has accelerated work under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s Sohna Punjab Programme to provide basic facilities in rural areas and upgrade villages in line with modern civic standards. Under the programme, work is currently underway on 124 development schemes across 342 villages in the province.
An important review meeting on the Sohna Punjab and Chief Minister’s Model Village Programme was held at the Civil Secretariat Lahore under the chairmanship of Provincial Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique. Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmad Mian, Special Secretary Arshad Baig, the CEO of Punjab Rural Municipal Services Company, and other relevant officials attended the meeting. Officials gave a detailed briefing on the progress made so far under the Model Village Programme.
The meeting was informed that 485 villages across Punjab have been selected in the first phase of the Chief Minister’s Model Village Programme, where projects related to basic infrastructure, sanitation, drainage, lighting, and street improvement are being implemented. According to the provincial minister, around 3.9 million people in rural areas will benefit from the completion of the first phase.
Zeeshan Rafique said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved Rs 60 billion for the programme, while additional funds will be allocated in the next fiscal year’s budget to further accelerate rural development. He said work would also begin soon in the remaining villages to provide facilities similar to those available in urban areas.
The provincial minister directed the relevant authorities to ensure both speed and quality in the execution of development projects. He said administrative officers of the concerned districts should regularly visit project sites to ensure timely and high-quality completion of the schemes.
Zeeshan Rafique said the government is making every possible effort to complete the first phase of the Model Village Programme by December 2026. He added that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed that another 7,500 villages be included in the programme, which would open a new chapter of development in Punjab’s rural areas.
He said special focus is being placed on paving village streets, installing streetlights, improving sewerage systems, and restoring traditional water ponds. The provision of sewerage systems, he added, would help create a cleaner environment in villages and improve the quality of life for residents.
The local government minister directed officials to ensure full implementation of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s guidelines. He expressed the hope that the completion of the Model Village Programme would provide significant relief to rural communities in terms of basic facilities and bring Punjab’s villages in line with a new standard of development, cleanliness, and public services.

Lahore | Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan
Several projects aimed at restoring and improving basic civic facilities across Punjab have been completed in the directions of the Punjab Ombudsman.
According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Ombudsman, following public complaints, the relevant departments took immediate action for road repairs, restoration of streetlights, cleanliness measures, closure of open manholes and improvement of drainage systems.
The spokesperson said approximately Rs 3.3 million was spent on the completion of these projects, resulting in the restoration of civic facilities to improve and standard levels in different cities and areas.
The repair and restoration of streetlights have made public places safer and better illuminated, while improvements to footpaths and pedestrian routes have enhanced public convenience and safety.
Similarly, the cleaning and rehabilitation of drains and drainage systems have also led to a noticeable improvement in the overall sanitation situation.
The spokesperson said these measures reflect a practical commitment to the swift redressal of public complaints, resolution of civic problems and provision of better municipal facilities to citizens.
The Office of the Punjab Ombudsman reaffirmed its commitment to continuing effective monitoring and timely action to resolve problems faced by citizens across the province.

Lahore : ReNews Pakistan
The Lahore Development Authority (LDA), on the directives of Director General Tahir Farooq, has launched a major crackdown against illegal commercial buildings, unlawful commercial use and commercial fee defaulters, sealing a total of 134 properties across different areas falling under LDA control.
LDA teams conducted operations in Gulberg, Model Town, Gulshan Ravi, Gujjarpura, New Muslim Town, Azam Garden and Mustafa Town. During the action, several properties were sealed over illegal commercial use, violations of rules and regulations, and non-payment of commercial fees.
According to officials, LDA teams sealed 46 properties in Gulberg and Model Town over illegal commercial use, while 63 properties were preceded against in Gulshan Ravi, Gujjarpura and New Muslim Town for unlawful commercial activities and non-payment of commercial fees.
Similarly, during a recovery operation, 46 properties were also sealed in Azam Garden and Mustafa Town. The sealed properties included private schools, colleges, academies, beauty salons, clinics, grocery stores, bakeries, pharmacies, auto workshops, electric stores, restaurants, food points, shops, offices and other commercial units.
According to the LDA, the operation was carried out under the supervision of Chief Town Planner-I Asaduzzaman. LDA Director General Tahir Farooq said indiscriminate action against illegal commercial buildings and commercial fee defaulters would continue. He added that no leniency would be shown to properties violating laws in LDA controlled areas.