Punjab Minister Oversees PDP Review Meeting and E-Tendering Process for Urban Development Projects

By Muhammad Shahzad, Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique chaired a review meeting on the Punjab Development Program (PDP), assessing progress and ongoing projects. The session was attended by Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Secretary Local Government Board Rizwan Naseer, and Additional Secretary Ahmer Kaifi, while Project Director PDP Brigadier (retd) Asad Mahmood presented a detailed briefing.

The minister also supervised the technical e-tendering process for 10 additional cities under the PDP, where bids were opened in the presence of contractors to ensure transparency.

Minister Rafique stated that, following the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the e-tendering process is fully digitized and transparent, mirroring the practices of the Lahore Development Program. He said the first phase of the PDP will cover municipal schemes in 68 cities, with 52 monitored by the Local Government Department and the remaining by the respective WASAs.

The Punjab government has initially released Rs 10 million for PDP projects, Rafique added, pledging that fund shortages will not hinder public welfare initiatives. Key projects include construction and repair of drains and sewerage systems, prevention of urban flooding through underground rainwater storage tanks, and comprehensive master planning for all cities.

He emphasized that rehabilitation of roads, streets, and street lighting is integral to the program, and planning is being done with a 25-year outlook for urban population needs. Sewerage schemes will employ lining pipes with a lifespan of 100 years, and the PDP aims to provide an end-to-end municipal solution benefiting millions of urban residents.

Minister Rafique also highlighted work on the “ideal village” project to extend city-like municipal services to rural communities, ensuring infrastructure and public amenities meet modern standards.