Under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s flagship “Sohna Punjab Program,” 22 villages in Sargodha district will be upgraded into model villages in the first phase of the initiative, with an estimated cost of Rs 2.8 billion.  Deputy Commissioner Sargodha, Hussain Ahmad Raza Chaudhry, was briefed on the progress of the project during a meeting with Coordinator Model Village Program, Hamza Ahmad Shehzad, at his office on Tuesday.  Deputy Director Development, Mehtab Yaseen, was also present on the occasion. 

According to the briefing, the program aims to ensure the provision of basic facilities in rural areas in line with the Chief Minister’s vision for inclusive development.  The coordinator informed the meeting that in villages where groundwater is fit for drinking, existing water supply schemes will be rehabilitated and made fully functional, adding that in areas with brackish water, filtration plants will be installed through the Punjab Saaf Pani Authority. 

He said that the plan also includes improvement of drainage systems through the construction and rehabilitation of drains and sewerage lines. Streets will be upgraded with soling and the installation of tuff tiles to modernize infrastructure.  Additionally, a one-kanal public park will be established in each selected village to provide recreational facilities to residents. 

Officials informed that the project is targeted for completion within 10 months.  Speaking on the occasion, the deputy commissioner emphasized that rural development remains a top priority of the provincial government and that the model village initiative will significantly improve living standards, ensuring that its benefits reach the grassroots level.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)