Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said her government’s development focus now extends across all 41 districts of the province, rather than being concentrated in a single city. Speaking to Punjab Assembly members and PML-N ticket-holders from Multan in Lahore on September 19, she said development projects were being planned according to population ratios.
The meeting focused on development priorities and public issues in Multan. The provincial lawmakers and ticket-holders presented proposals and recommendations, while the chief minister directed the relevant authorities to take necessary measures on the issues discussed.
Development Projects Across Punjab
Maryam Nawaz said the government was pursuing a development approach designed to extend public infrastructure and services beyond major urban centres. She highlighted the introduction of modern green electric buses in far-flung areas of Punjab before their launch in Lahore.
The Punjab government has also been pursuing wider infrastructure projects under its development programme. Earlier in August, Maryam Nawaz said water drainage, sewerage and road construction projects were being launched across the province, while clean drinking water was identified as a priority under the Saaf Paani Project.
The chief minister’s office says its broader development priorities include building a healthy, sustainable, safe and prosperous Punjab, with an emphasis on infrastructure, local government and public services.
Healthcare Expansion in Multan
Healthcare was another focus highlighted during the meeting. Maryam Nawaz said a cancer ablation machine imported from China had been installed at Nishtar Hospital in Multan after its introduction at Mayo Hospital in Lahore.
According to the reports, treatment had already begun at Nishtar Hospital. The machine is intended to provide non-surgical cancer treatment for patients from Multan as well as people travelling from other provinces.
The expansion of specialised medical services beyond Lahore forms part of the broader effort described by the chief minister as extending development and public facilities across Punjab.
Multan Infrastructure Proposals
Several infrastructure matters were also discussed during the meeting. Maryam Nawaz agreed to a proposal for constructing a bridge over the Chenab River between Shujaabad and Khan Garh, according to a government handout reported by multiple Pakistani news outlets.
Members also highlighted development work already undertaken in the Multan district, including the construction of flood-protection embankments at Jalalpur Pirwala and Noraja Bhutta.
The chief minister has previously instructed elected representatives to remain involved in development projects in their constituencies until completion. She has also called for oversight of project quality, pace and transparency.
What’s Next for Punjab Development?
The latest announcement indicates that the Punjab government intends to continue directing development resources across the province based on population and local requirements. The government has also been expanding transport, healthcare, road, drainage and clean-water initiatives outside Lahore.
For residents, the implementation of these projects will depend on the relevant provincial departments, local administrations and elected representatives completing approved schemes and maintaining oversight of their progress.
Maryam Nawaz’s latest remarks therefore place the emphasis on province-wide development, with Multan and other districts included in the government’s stated approach to distributing infrastructure and public-service projects across Punjab.
