The Punjab government has announced an initiative of providing designated spaces and free carts to underprivileged vendors, aiming to tackle the issues of encroachment and traffic congestion while discouraging unauthorised vending in the provincial capital.
In the pilot phase, 1,000 model carts will be distributed among eligible street vendors at 19 designated locations across Lahore starting next month.
The project will later expand across all 40 districts of Punjab, with plans to provide 12,000 carts in total. Preparatory work for the province-wide rollout is under way, and a proposal has been submitted to the chief minister's secretariat for approval. The Lahore deputy commissioner has been directed to ensure the transparent distribution of carts among deserving recipients.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the initiative on Saturday. The ceremony was attended by Punjab Model Bazaars Management Company (PMBMC) Chairman Malik Afzal Khokhar, who has also been appointed chair of the provincial steering committee for the model carts project, along with the Lahore deputy commissioner and other senior officials.
Khokhar highlighted his commitment to overseeing the swift implementation of the project.
He said the initiative represents a step forward in promoting regulated street vending while providing economic opportunities for underprivileged vendors across the province.
Meanwhile, a steering committee formed by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz reviewed the progress of the Lahore Development Programme (LDP) and outlined strategies for the timely and efficient execution of the city's development initiatives.
In a meeting presided over by Punjab Minister for Local Government and Community Development (LG&CD) Zeeshan Rafique, Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza briefed the committee members on the ongoing development work.
Information Minister Azma Bukhari emphasised maintaining constant contact with relevant elected representatives for the success of the public welfare project. She stated that legislators were more familiar with the issues in their constituencies, and consultation with them would ensure better results.
She said the chief minister had issued directives that upon the completion of the LDP, no street or connecting road in the provincial capital should remain damaged.
She stressed the timely completion and proper monitoring of all schemes, highlighting the need for an effective mechanism for the purpose.
Zeeshan Rafique mentioned that work was under way on 115 schemes of the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore (MCL) and 246 of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA).
He issued strict instructions that all underground work, particularly by Sui Gas and the Safe Cities Authority, must be completed before the repair of streets. Once any scheme was completed, no excavation would be permitted, he said. He directed the deputy commissioner to notify the departments about this policy.
The minister shared that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had envisioned "vibrant streets" in Lahore with aesthetic features that would enhance the city's beauty.
He highlighted the inclusion of horticulture in all projects and said feedback from elected representatives should be incorporated at every stage.
The LDP is set to be completed by June 2025, he noted.
The CM's Special Assistant Zeeshan Malik said the chief minister is expected to lay the foundation stone for the project in December.
The LG&CD secretary said tiles for the project would be designed as per the chief minister's instructions.
DC Musa Raza said all assistant commissioners must maintain communication with elected representatives and ensure the timely completion of tendering.
Seed prices
In another development, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed satisfaction over a "sharp decrease" in the prices of certified wheat seeds of Punjab Seed Corporation.
"After fertiliser, the prices of certified wheat seeds have also come down," she announced in a statement.
She said the price of the certified seeds had come down to Rs4,500 per bag from Rs6,300.
The certified seeds are available at special centres and registered dealers of Punjab Seed Corporation.
With additional input from APP
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