Punjab Cities Program Enhances Municipal Services in 16 CitiesWorld Bank Senior Urban Specialist Visits PMDFC

By Farzana Chaudhry — Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: Rumana Haque, Senior Urban Specialist at the World Bank, visited the office of the Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC) on Monday, where Managing Director Syed Zahid Aziz and his team briefed her on the accomplishments and future roadmap of the Punjab Cities Program (PCP).

Syed Zahid Aziz highlighted that projects worth over PKR 30 billion have been completed under the PCP, significantly improving municipal services in 16 cities across Punjab. Key initiatives included the construction and upgrading of sewerage systems, water supply networks, and modern stormwater drainage infrastructure, enhancing urban living standards.

He further informed that based on the success of the PCP, special “Watson Units” are being established in another 16 cities under the Punjab Inclusive Cities Program (PICP). These units, staffed with municipal officers, are expected to improve service delivery, field responsiveness, and oversight at the local government level.

The MD also emphasized the integration of technology-driven solutions to strengthen governance and municipal management. Tools such as GIS mapping, the Baldiya Shikyaat App, LGFMIS, PMS, e-governance platforms, and other IT systems have significantly improved budget management, revenue collection, and overall service delivery.

Environmental and social safeguards were given top priority in all infrastructure projects, aligning with sustainable development goals, he added.

World Bank Senior Urban Specialist Rumana Haque appreciated PMDFC’s performance, teamwork, and the impactful results achieved under the Punjab Cities Program.