Maryam Nawaz has directed the immediate suspension of development works totaling 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 Rafa 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. Notably, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had previously greenlit a budget allocation of 12 billion rupees for the development of Baldia Uzmi Lahore, signaling her commitment to addressing urban infrastructure issues. However, the decision to pause additional expenditures underscores a strategic shift in approach towards ensuring optimal utilization of public funds.

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.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan