Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has granted in-principle approval to expand the Model Village Project, directing authorities to upgrade 7,500 villages in Phase II and present clear timelines along with “before and after” video documentation of each site.
Chairing a review meeting, the chief minister set June 30 as the deadline for cleaning stagnant wastewater ponds (chhappar) across villages. She also ordered the prompt repair and restoration of non-functional water filtration plants, particularly in polluted and underserved areas, and emphasised that access to safe drinking water is a fundamental right.
Officials briefed the meeting that helpline 1336 has been made operational to address complaints related to water filtration plants. The chief minister further directed the early completion of bottling plants in Khushab and Chishtian, while setting May 15 as the deadline for the completion of a cluster-based water supply scheme in Rajanpur.
According to the briefing, work on Phase I—covering 485 villages—is progressing, with an estimated cost exceeding PKR 59 billion. Each model village is being equipped with basic infrastructure, including water supply systems, solar-powered tube wells, drainage networks, and the cleaning of wastewater ponds.
The chief minister also set August 31 as the deadline for the completion of septic tanks, which are expected to function as natural filtration systems. Treated water, following desilting, will be reused for irrigation purposes.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, she said the transformation of rural areas into model settlements would be ensured, adding that residents of villages have equal rights to development and essential services.
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