Punjab to End ‘No-Go Areas’, Kacha Region to Be Brought Into Mainstream: Azma Bokhari

By Muhammad Shahzad | Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has announced an ambitious plan to eliminate so-called “no-go areas” across the province, declaring that the historically troubled Kacha region will be fully integrated into the development mainstream.
She said that after 76 years, the writ of the state has been effectively restored in these areas, with criminal networks dismantled and the long-standing presence of dacoits brought to an end.
The minister revealed that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved a Rs23 billion development package aimed at transforming the region. Under the initiative, 14,500 acres of government land will be distributed free of cost among local farmers under the “Apna Khet Apna Rozgar” programme to promote self-reliance.
The development plan includes the construction of schools and colleges, upgradation of existing institutions, provision of 300 merit-based scholarships, and distribution of free laptops to students. Additionally, 1,000 livestock cards will be issued to support women through financial assistance and skill development in livestock farming.
Efforts are also underway to ensure civic inclusion, with mobile teams from National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) issuing CNICs and B-Forms in the region for the first time, enabling residents to access state services.
To maintain long-term security, authorities will deploy modern surveillance systems under the Safe City initiative, including drones, thermal imaging, and digital monitoring. Bokhari emphasized that no criminal elements would be allowed to re-establish themselves in the area.
Special incentives have also been introduced for local youth, including relaxed criteria for police recruitment to enhance employment opportunities.
Infrastructure development—such as roads, bridges, and model villages—is a central component of the plan, while restrictions on certain dense crops like sugarcane will remain in place to prevent their misuse as cover by criminal elements.
The minister added that the project is being implemented in phases, including floodplain restoration led by the Irrigation Department, and assured that additional funding—if required—would be mobilized to ensure full implementation.
She also announced hardship allowances for police personnel deployed in the region and warned against the spread of misinformation, urging responsible use of digital platforms.