This will be achieved by addressing urban development challenges at city level including integrated planning, improved institutional framework for urban services, strengthened business processes of utilities and improved urban infrastructure and services. This programme was approved in the 69th meeting of Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) of current fiscal year 2016-17 presided over by the Punjab Chairman P&D Muhammad Jahanzeb Khan.
Provincial Secretary P&D Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, all Members of the Planning & Development Board, Provincial Secretaries concerned and other senior representatives of the relevant Provincial Departments also attended the meeting. P&D spokesman told Business Recorder that the impact of this programme will improve quality of life of the residents of the selected cities of Punjab province. The key outputs will be: (i) introduction of integrated urban planning; (ii) improved institutional framework for urban services at the city level; (iii) strengthened business processes of urban utilities; and (iv) improved urban infrastructure. The same outputs will apply to all tranches.
The initial investment support is likely to focus on Sialkot City, a progressive business center in northeast Punjab. Sialkot has adequate capacity to lead innovation and sector reforms implementation.
The meeting also approved two other development schemes including completion of DHQ Building for Conversion into Kidney Centre Multan (MIKD) (Revised) at the cost of Rs 1477.319 million and construction of sewerage / drainage-PCC Soling in UCs Tehsil Nowshera Virkan including UCs Noiwala, Jhattanwali & Saharan Chattha District Gujranwala (NA-100) at the cost of Rs 467.500 million.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017