South Punjab Additional Chief Secretary Captain (retd) Saqib Zafar on Wednesday said the South Punjab Secretariat was bridging the gaps of development by enhancing infrastructure in health, education and other sectors.
Addressed officers undergoing the 39th Mid-Career Management Course at the National Institute of Management in Islamabad during their visit to the South Punjab Secretariat, he said that major projects in education and health have been completed in all major cities of South Punjab.
He said proposals for 58 major projects in the new budget have been submitted to the government, with an estimated cost of Rs132 billion.
Zafar emphasised that eliminating poverty and backwardness from the region is the top priority of the South Punjab Secretariat along with focusing on providing necessities, increasing literacy rates, and promoting agriculture.
He highlighted the importance of agriculture in the country's prosperity, mentioning the revival of cotton cultivation in South Punjab which is known as the Cotton Belt.
Read: Pathways to development — where Pakistan stands
He said a project proposal of investing Rs5 billion for the revival and increased production of cotton is part of the plan.
He mentioned the plans to connect all major cities of South Punjab through CPEC and motorways, including the construction of the Khanewal-Jhang Interchange on the Karachi-Lahore Motorway with an estimated cost of Rs13 billion.
The additional chief secretary revealed that action plans have been prepared for the construction of flyovers and underpasses in major cities of South Punjab to improve the traffic system.
“A plan to construct protective dykes to prevent damage from floods,” he said.
He mentioned that a mega plan has been devised for environmental conservation in Lal Sohanra Park for Rs3.73 billion.
Captain (retd) Saqib Zafar stated that the establishment of Transgender Schools and Morning Schools in the South Punjab are unique initiatives, with a project now underway to construct their buildings at the divisional and district levels.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2024.
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