LAHORE (Nazrana Times): Pakistan’s Punjab government has approved Rs23.85 billion for the Khushhal Dehat Programme to improve village infrastructure, with Rs50 million earmarked for development work in each village.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said the first phase would cover 475 villages, where streets would be paved and proper sewerage systems developed. She directed authorities to release the first instalment of funds to village development committees by November.

Nine-Member Committees to Oversee Projects

Under the programme, a committee comprising five government and four private members will oversee development projects. The relevant additional deputy commissioner for social services will head the committee, which will also include the union council chairman and the concerned sub-engineer.

The chief minister also sought a development plan for another 2,000 villages under the initiative’s second phase.

Development Without Political Discrimination

Maryam Nawaz said providing paved streets and organised sewerage systems in every village across Punjab was a priority. She added that development would take place in both urban and rural areas without discrimination on political grounds.

“Development programmes and resolution of public issues are the right of every area of Punjab,” she said, adding that political affiliations would not be allowed to hinder the province’s development process.