Under “Maryam Nawaz’s Sohna (beautiful) Punjab Program”, the Local Government Department has simultaneously launched development schemes in 51 cities. Work has been awarded for all the cities of the first phase of the Punjab Development Program (PDP). Details of this progress were revealed during a meeting chaired by Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique. Project Director Ahmer Sohail Kaifi gave a briefing. Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Special Secretary Asia Gul, experts from Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC), NESPAK were also present in the meeting, while municipal officers (infrastructure) of the concerned cities participated through video link. 
Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique said that the Local Government Department was entrusted with the responsibility of 52 cities of PDP. "The feasibility of one city, Kharian, has been handed over to the irrigation department, while development work has been started in 51 other cities”, he figured out. He said that the construction of 324 roadside and 34 underground storage tanks is the focus of the Chief Minister. "The construction of these tanks will help control urban flooding as well as provide ample storage of water for use”, he assured. Zeeshan Rafique said that 62 million gallons of water will be stored in roadside tanks, while 32 million gallons will be stored in other tanks. He said that these tanks are being constructed with special techniques and designs, which will allow for the drainage of rainwater and recharge of underground water reservoirs.
The Minister for Local Government said that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered the use of only lining pipes in PDP schemes. "The technology of lining pipes has been transferred to Pakistan for the first time. The process of installing lining pipe plants at designated locations is progressing”, he added. He stressed that every effort should be made to complete the work of the tanks before the monsoon. "Under the PDP, 181 kilometers of drains are being constructed for rainwater drainage. The total length of sewers is 3500 kilometers, while the length of roads and streets is 2600 kilometers”, he went on. Zeeshan Rafique said that for the first time under the PDP, comprehensive master planning of cities has been done, however, he directed that wherever necessary, data from Suthra Punjab should also be used. He said that effective safety measures have been taken on the sites on the instructions of the Chief Minister. "The concerned Deputy and Assistant Commissioners should send the safety audit report regularly”, he urged.
