Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif visited various villages of Nankana Sahib to assess the flood situation and review ongoing relief and development efforts.
During her extensive two-and-a-half-hour visit, she announced a wide range of projects aimed at infrastructure development, flood prevention, and public welfare.
The Chief Minister announced the construction of two flood drains in Nankana Sahib to prevent future flood damage. She also directed the early completion of ongoing road and development projects and called for a detailed beautification plan of the city to be submitted within two weeks. Orders were issued for immediate disbursement of funds for this purpose.
Emphasizing urban development, Maryam Nawaz declared her commitment to transforming Nankana Sahib into a model city. She announced an increase in the number of electric buses and mobile health clinics (Clinic-on-Wheels) for the district. Several villages, including Daffer Khokhran, will be included in the Model Village Scheme.
During her visit to flood-hit areas such as Jasslani Morh and Mehranpur village, she inspected damaged homes and agricultural land. She also launched the distribution of relief goods by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), which is providing special kits, mosquito nets, and clothing to affected families.
The Chief Minister personally interacted with flood victims, offering assurances of rehabilitation and expressing her resolve to compensate for agricultural and livestock losses.
She announced financial assistance for residents whose mud houses were destroyed by the floodwaters.
Maryam Nawaz issued directives to improve city entry points, construct high-quality road shoulders around the main city road, and ensure the placement of zebra crossings and signboards near schools. She also ordered strict control over bread prices and expressed concern over any form of land encroachment, terming it a failure of relevant officials.
In a public interaction at Dholar Chowk and several major points including Gurdwara Janam Asthan Chowk, DPS Chowk, Bairi Chowk, Chungi Chowk, Railway Road, Peer Ahmad Shah Road, and Mananwala Phatak, large crowds welcomed the Chief Minister.
She distributed sweets among children, chatted warmly with local women, and received prayers from elderly residents for her model village initiative.
Later, at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, she held a meeting with local parliamentarians and received a comprehensive briefing. Officials reported that floods had submerged 1,525 acres of land and affected 22 villages. Over 20,000 encroachments had been removed, and 1,194 special persons had been issued Himat Cards. Maryam Nawaz ordered an increase in the number of beneficiaries under this scheme.
The briefing also highlighted development progress, including the issuance of 788 home loans under the “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” project, construction of 400 homes, distribution of 176 subsidized green tractors, and the inclusion of 267 livestock units, 1,715 minority cards, and 242 agricultural tubewells in the solar energy program.
Maryam Nawaz reaffirmed her commitment to serve the people of Punjab, stating, “Helping people is not a favor; it is my duty.” Expressing her frustration with past neglect of Punjab, she added, “What Punjab has endured in the past pains me deeply.”
