Maryam Nawaz has directed the immediate suspension of development works totalling 36 billion rupees in Lahore.
During a high-level meeting with various department officials, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz raised pertinent questions regarding the long-term impact and sustainability of extensive investments in Lahore’s infrastructure.
Expressing skepticism over the ability of current projects to permanently alleviate the city’s challenges, she sought assurances from participating officers regarding the efficacy of proposed solutions.
Despite efforts from officials, including Secretary Housing and Deputy Commissioner Lahore Rafia Haider, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz remained unconvinced, prompting her to issue a directive to halt the development projects. Furthermore, she instructed for a comprehensive reassessment of ongoing schemes and imposed a moratorium on tender issuance until further notice.
In response to concerns raised during the meeting, MD Wasa Ghafran Ahmed acknowledged the challenges inherent in achieving permanent solutions but emphasized the potential for mitigating issues through judicious resource allocation.
He pledged to prioritize water supply and drainage improvements once adequate funding is made available by the Punjab government.
While progress has been made in resolving drainage issues, Ahmed acknowledged the prevalence of blocked drains as a recurring concern. Assurances were given that these matters would be addressed in forthcoming discussions with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, underscoring the government’s commitment to tackling urban challenges head-on.
As the administration navigates the complexities of urban development, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s decisive action reflects a proactive stance towards ensuring accountability and efficacy in public expenditure. With the reassessment of development projects underway, stakeholders remain hopeful for a more sustainable and impactful approach to addressing Lahore’s pressing infrastructure needs.
