Lahore: The Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) held its first meeting for the fiscal year 2025–26 on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Dr. Naeem Rauf, Chairman of the Planning & Development (P&D) Board, Punjab. The meeting approved six major development schemes from various sectors, including transport, irrigation, skill development, and energy, with a combined estimated cost exceeding PKR 19.56 billion.
Two key urban transport infrastructure projects in Lahore received approval:
Development of Urban Bus Depot and Allied Infrastructure at Thokar Niaz Baig, with an estimated cost of PKR 8.09 billion, and
Development of Urban Bus Depot and Allied Infrastructure at Railway Station, Lahore, estimated at PKR 1.62 billion.
These projects are part of the provincial government’s broader push to enhance mass transit infrastructure in major urban centres, particularly Lahore.
In the irrigation sector, the rehabilitation of the Montgomery–Pakpattan (M-P) Link Canal was approved at an estimated cost of PKR 1.26 billion, aimed at improving water management and agricultural productivity in the region.
A feasibility study for comprehensive integrated flood management of nullahs in Sialkot, Narowal, and Gujranwala was also greenlit, with an allocation of PKR 64.86 million. This initiative is designed to strengthen flood resilience and protect vulnerable districts during monsoon seasons.
In a move to boost skill development, the PDWP approved a feasibility study for converting two existing TEVTA institutes — GTTI Gulberg, Lahore, and GSPCT Gujrat — into international training centres aligned with German and EU-specific programmes, at a cost of PKR 15.93 million.
Additionally, the meeting approved the revised Energy Efficiency and Conservation Programme (PGDP, DLI-5) with a substantial allocation of PKR 8.5 billion, which aims to enhance sustainable energy practices across the province.
The session also endorsed funding for the upgradation of transport modelling and feasibility studies for future mass transit systems in Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Lahore — marking a strategic shift towards long-term, data-driven transport planning.
The meeting was attended by P&D Board Secretary Rafaqat Ali, Transport Secretary Imran Sikandar Baloch, Irrigation Secretary Wasif Khurshid, Chief Economist Masood Anwar, and other senior officials from relevant departments.
These approvals reflect the Punjab government’s commitment to accelerating infrastructure growth, improving urban mobility, and strengthening resilience against environmental risks in FY 2025–26.
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