Punjab approves model village initiative for 443 villages

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved an ambitious plan to transform 443 villages across 10 divisions of the province into model villages, officials said on Tuesday. The announcement was made during a progress review meeting of the Chief Minister’s “Model Village” program, presided over by Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique at the Civil Secretariat.

Under the initiative, modern municipal services including water supply, drainage, and wastewater treatment systems will be introduced in all selected villages. Work on 224 villages is set to begin in mid-December, marking the start of the program’s first phase.

Minister Zeeshan Rafique said the first phase will cover 36 villages in Sargodha, 40 in Sahiwal, 53 in Gujranwala, 46 in Gujrat, 62 in Multan, and 36 in DG Khan. Additionally, 46 villages in Sheikhupura, 46 in Rawalpindi, 47 in Bahawalpur, and 31 in Faisalabad will be included.

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The minister emphasized that the program will also focus on reviving traditional village culture, paving streets, and developing children’s parks. Special attention will be paid to the design of drains to prevent clogging by livestock waste. The flooring in selected villages, including those near Lahore, will feature high-quality tiles, and experienced experts from the Lahore Development Program will be consulted during implementation.

According to officials, the first phase of the Model Village Program is expected to be completed within 10 months and will benefit an estimated 3.4 million residents. Zeeshan Rafique also stressed that local elected representatives will be consulted to ensure community participation and effective execution of the initiative.

The program aims to provide rural residents with modern infrastructure and improved living standards while promoting sustainability and preserving local traditions.