Corruption unacceptable, warns Maryam

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that her government’s performance benchmark is not previous governments but itself.

“Our competition is with ourselves. Overall performance has been satisfactory, but much more needs to be done. The sense of relief among the people is our real success. Time is limited, and there’s still a lot to achieve for public welfare,” she stated.

She made these remarks while chairing a marathon six-hour special session to review the district-level Annual Development Programme (ADP). For the first time in Punjab’s history, the chief minister herself approved the annual development plans of 12 districts. The next round of meetings, focusing on anti-encroachment drives and beautification projects in the remaining districts, will be held on Tuesday, May 20.

All commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province participated in the meeting, where the CM expressed dissatisfaction over the persistence of corruption in government departments. “Corruption in my presence as chief minister is unacceptable. A comprehensive crackdown must be launched to eradicate it permanently,” she stressed.

The CM reviewed progress on various urban uplift initiatives, including the beautification of cities and removal of encroachments. She highlighted the challenges in maintaining cleanliness and eliminating illegal occupations and emphasised that commissioners and DCs have full autonomy to perform their duties without external pressure. “Assembly members have acknowledged improvements in social and other development sectors across districts,” she noted.

Maryam Nawaz ordered for key development measures including sustainable upgradation of roads, markets, and bazaars in all tehsils; construction of model rickshaw stands in every city; timely land compensation at market rates for acquired land; CCTV monitoring of retrieved government land post-encroachment removal; establishment of sports areas and urban forests on available public land; daily visits by administrative officers for anti-encroachment and lane marking inspections; removal of electricity poles obstructing roads; construction of tuff tile footpaths alongside newly-built roads; relocation and uniform development of grain, fruit, and vegetable markets outside cities; installation of uniform lighting, solar street-lights, and planters on overhead bridges; plantation of uniform tree styles along road medians; and enforcement of building by-laws across all districts.

The CM ordered for provision of more electric vehicles for public use in Faisalabad, alongside the beautification and upgradation of infrastructure in the historic Ghanta Ghar markets. Progress on removing encroachments in Sargodha’s Gol Chowk and other markets was reviewed, while a comprehensive urban uplift plan for Rawalpindi’s Raja Bazaar was approved. The restoration of Rawalpindi’s historical buildings will be carried out in partnership with the Walled City Authority.

The CM was briefed that 85pc of identified violations in Sahiwal have already been addressed. She approved uplift projects for Saddar Bazaar and Pakpattan Bazaar, and the relocation of Sahiwal’s General Bus Stand. She also sanctioned restoration of the 278-year-old Wali Muhammad Masjid in Multan.

In Multan, several major projects were greenlit, including 22 new bus stops; expansion of Sher Shah Interchange and Liaquatabad Road; completion of Multan Avenue (9 km) along the Northern Bypass; and restoration of Chowk Ghanta Ghar.

In Sialkot, the government will construct and renovate Sialkot Fort and Iqbal Manzil on 17 kanals, and develop Baab-e-Sialkot. Over 1,000 encroachments have been removed in the city.

Dera Ghazi Khan will see the construction and expansion of Shah Sikandar Road, beautification of Liaquat Bazaar, and completion of a large sports area, with four electric carts to be introduced for public use.

In Bahawalpur, projects were approved for rehabilitation of Fareed Gate; beautification of the 200-year-old Al-Sadiq Masjid; construction of a connecting road and a food street; and beautification of Satellite and Model Town.

Rahim Yar Khan’s internal markets will be repaired, with fiberglass roofs, mist fans, and water coolers installed for improved public convenience. The CM also approved a new food street in Gujranwala modelled after Lahore’s popular venue.

It was reported that 6,416 kanals of public land worth Rs9.2 billion have been retrieved in Faisalabad, while 6566 permanent encroachments were removed from 116 sites in Gujranwala. Plans are underway to eliminate illegal cattle fences and convert the GT Road dumping site into a green area.

On the World Family Doctor Day, CM Maryam Nawaz paid tribute to family doctors across the globe. She acknowledged their unwavering service, compassion, and commitment to public health. “A family doctor is the first line of defence in illness. They are the custodians of community health and deserve our deepest respect,” she said.