Nankana Sahib: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday announced a comprehensive development and flood protection plan for Nankana Sahib, pledging to transform the city and its surrounding villages into a “model city” following recent flood damage.
During a detailed two-and-a-half-hour visit to flood-affected areas including Jaslani Mor and Miranpur, the chief minister reviewed the post-flood situation, supervised relief efforts, and interacted with local residents. She was accompanied by senior government officials, elected representatives, and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) personnel.
In response to the destruction caused by flooding, CM Maryam Nawaz announced the construction of two major flood drains aimed at preventing future disasters. She also directed the administration to ensure swift and fair compensation for farmers whose crops were damaged and residents whose mud houses were destroyed. The CM warned officials that failure to prevent land grabbing in the affected areas would be taken seriously.
“Serving people is my duty, not a favour,” she stated during the visit, expressing dissatisfaction with the past neglect of local communities.
As part of the relief drive, the PDMA distributed essential items including mosquito nets, clothing, and hygiene kits. Officials briefed the CM that 1,525 acres of farmland had been submerged, affecting 22 villages. Over 20,000 illegal encroachments had also been removed during the emergency response phase.
Beyond disaster relief, CM Maryam Nawaz laid out a broader vision to upgrade the district’s infrastructure and services. She directed the preparation of a beautification plan for Nankana Sahib to be submitted within two weeks, with assurances of immediate fund release for approved projects.
Other key directives included:
Early completion of ongoing roads and development projects
Installation of zebra crossings and signboards near schools for traffic safety
Strict price control on roti (bread) and basic commodities
Expansion of electric buses and mobile health clinics in the district
Improvement of city entry points and shoulder roads
Inclusion of rural areas like Dafar Khokhran in the Model Village Scheme
The chief minister also paid a surprise visit to DHQ Hospital Nankana Sahib, inspecting emergency and general wards. She inquired from patients about the availability of free medicines and appreciated the hospital’s performance, especially the average diagnosis and treatment time of under 90 minutes. She also lauded the transparency initiative of displaying available medicines on a board in the hospital’s waiting area.
Elsewhere, CM Maryam acknowledged the work of Layyah Municipal Corporation and the ‘Suthra Punjab’ team for quickly clearing rainwater from urban areas after a night of heavy rainfall. She also commended Rescue 1122 personnel for using motorboats to rescue 23 individuals trapped by floodwaters in Gujrat.
The visit concluded with a two-hour review meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, attended by MNA Shizra Mansib Ali, former federal minister Chaudhry Barjees Tahir, four MPAs, the Commissioner of Lahore Division, and other senior officials.
The chief minister reiterated her administration’s commitment to proactive governance, citizen welfare, and long-term urban planning to strengthen resilience against future climate-related events.
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