By Dr Ansab Ali
Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique has said that 485 villages across the province are being transformed into model villages under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s “Sohna Punjab” programme, with development schemes in 19 villages already completed 100 percent.

He was speaking at a review meeting of the Model Village Programme held at the Civil Secretariat. Special Secretary Syed Musa Raza and Additional Secretary Mehreen Faheem Abbasi attended the meeting, while Punjab Rural Municipal Services Company (PRMSC) CEO Khurram Pervez gave a detailed briefing on the progress of the programme.

Zeeshan Rafique expressed satisfaction over the progress, saying that 67 percent of the work to transform 281 additional villages into model villages has been completed.

He said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif was providing all possible financial resources for the Model Village Programme to improve living standards in rural communities.

The minister said streets were being paved in every model village, while children’s parks would also be established. Streetlights would be installed and proper sewage systems constructed as part of the development package.

He added that clean drinking water schemes would be provided in villages facing shortages or problems related to access to safe water.

Zeeshan Rafique said the programme was aimed at providing modern municipal facilities to rural residents and improving the overall environment and infrastructure of villages.

He further stated that the scope of the Model Village Programme would gradually be expanded after completion of its first phase.