PDWP Approves Development Schemes Worth Over Rs52 Billion

LAHORE: The Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) sanctioned nine significant development projects on Friday, focusing on agriculture, local government, and infrastructure. The total estimated expenditure for these initiatives exceeds Rs52.357 billion.

These approvals occurred during the second PDWP session for the fiscal year 2025–26. Dr. Naeem Rauf, Chairman of the Planning & Development Board, presided over the meeting.

Key Agricultural Initiatives
  • Revised Chief Minister’s Programme for the solarisation of agricultural tube-wells (Rs7.229 billion)
  • An internship program designed for agriculture graduates (Rs2.155 billion)
  • The Chief Minister Punjab Kissan Card initiative (Rs9.868 billion)

Furthermore, the PDWP has given the go-ahead to the following:

  • Phase-II of the Punjab Green Tractor Programme (Rs5.076 billion)
  • The Punjab Hi-Power Tractor Programme (Rs9.580 billion)
  • A project focused on agricultural transformation within the Potohar region (Rs7 billion)
Local Government Sector

The establishment of a Project Implementation and Management Unit (PIMU) under the Punjab Rural Municipal Services Company (PRMSC), along with Service Delivery Units (SDUs), received approval. The estimated cost is Rs4.030 billion.

Infrastructure Projects

Two major infrastructure projects were also approved:

  • The construction of underpasses at GPO Chowk and TM Chowk on Mall Road, including a pedestrian underpass near AFIC in Rawalpindi (Rs5.551 billion)
  • The expansion of the road from District Complex to Kakuwal Bridge, including a flyover in Mandi Bahauddin (Rs1.864 billion)

Secretary P&D Board Rafaqat Ali, Secretary Agriculture Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, Chief Economist Masood Anwar, along with other P&D Board members and senior officials, were present at the meeting.