The Provincial Development Working Party approved development schemes worth more than Rs10 billion in its 69th meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Lahore, signaling a fresh push in Punjab development.
Chaired by Planning and Development Board Chairman Dr Naeem Rauf, and attended by Secretary P&D Board Rafaqat Ali, Chief Economist Imtiaz Ahmed, board members and officials of relevant departments, the forum cleared major road improvement and institutional projects.
Among the allocations, Rs2.80 billion was approved for the dualisation, rehabilitation and improvement of the Okara–Depalpur Road in District Okara while Rs3.47 billion was sanctioned for the dualisation and rehabilitation of the road from Housing Colony Chowk to Farooqabad in District Sheikhupura. A further Rs2.55 billion was allocated for rehabilitation and construction of the Lodhran–Jalalpur Road from N-5, including the construction of a flyover to ease traffic flow.
The PDWP also approved Rs1.49 billion for an integrated Record Preservation and Public Access Management System to be established at divisional headquarters across the province. Officials said this step will modernise record keeping and improve public access to information, strengthening governance alongside physical infrastructure upgrades.
The forum cleared a position paper to fund salaries for 164 project posts under various development schemes and approved the creation of posts for the Punjab Probation and Parole Service. Authorities expect the combined measures to enhance public service delivery and support ongoing Punjab development goals.
