Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan reviews progress of Model Villages Project in District Kasur

By Farzana Chaudhry
Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: Punjab Law Minister Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan chaired a high-level review meeting on the Model Villages Project in District Kasur, during which senior officials briefed him on the progress of the ongoing development scheme.

The meeting was informed that development work is underway in 25 villages of District Kasur under six development packages at an estimated cost of approximately Rs2.98 billion. The project is scheduled for completion by December 31, 2026.

The villages covered under the project include Gagga UC Chak No. 29, Dina Nath, Nathe Khalsa, Hanjarwal Chak No. 31, Tara Garh and Baghiana Village Chhambar, among others.

According to officials, the project includes the provision of safe drinking water, modern sewerage systems, wastewater treatment facilities, paved streets, solar-powered street lights, children’s parks and other essential municipal services.

The meeting also reviewed the financial and physical progress of individual development packages, tendering procedures and ongoing construction activities in the project areas.

Officials informed the minister that construction work had commenced on several packages, while the re-tendering process for certain components was currently underway.

Speaking at the meeting, Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan directed the relevant authorities to ensure that all development works were completed according to the highest standards of quality and transparency and within the stipulated timelines.

He said that, under the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, rural communities were being provided with civic facilities comparable to those available in urban areas.

The minister described the Model Villages Project as a major initiative for the development of rural Punjab, saying it would significantly improve basic infrastructure and the overall quality of life of residents.

He emphasized that access to clean drinking water, proper drainage, paved streets, parks and modern municipal infrastructure was a basic right of every citizen. The Punjab government, he added, was utilizing all available resources to achieve this objective.

Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan further directed officials to ensure regular monitoring of all development schemes, maintain construction quality and address public complaints promptly so that residents could benefit from the projects without unnecessary delays.

The meeting was attended by Rana Javed Iqbal, Rana Shehzad Iqbal, Assistant Commissioner Pattoki Nishtar Rehman Lodhi, Divisional Coordinator Azhar Dewan, District Coordinator Mazhar Yaseen and other relevant officials.