35 villages across Bahawalpur Division being upgraded under model village initiative

BAHAWALPUR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Jun, 2026) Divisional Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia on Thursday chaired a meeting

to review the progress of development projects being implemented under

the Model Village Program.

The meeting focused on the upgradation of 35 selected villages across the

division and the provision of modern municipal and civic facilities to rural

communities. The meeting was attended by Member Provincial Assembly

Khalid Mahmood Jajja, Deputy Commissioner Bahawalpur Syed Hassan

Raza, Additional Commissioner Coordination Dr. Nayyar Mustafa, Director

Local Government Khurshid Ahmed, Director Development Ismat Ullah,

Divisional Coordinator Model Village Program Tauseef Anwar, and other

officers concerned. Deputy Commissioners from other districts of Bahawalpur

Division participated via video link.

Addressing the meeting, Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia stated that, in line with

the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Model Village

Program aims to improve the quality of life in rural areas by ensuring the provision

of essential public services and modern infrastructure. He explained that the initiative

includes the development of water supply systems, sanitation facilities, street lighting,

road improvements, and other basic amenities, enabling rural residents to benefit

from services comparable to those available in urban areas.

The Commissioner emphasized that the Punjab Government was giving special

priority to rural development and that the Model Village Program represents a significant

step toward achieving sustainable growth in rural communities. He directed all relevant

departments to ensure that development projects were completed according to prescribed

standards and timelines while accelerating the pace of work so that residents could benefit

from the facilities as soon as possible.

During the meeting, proposals for the establishment of parks and playgrounds in several

villages were also discussed.

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Commissioner Kathia noted that parks and sports facilities not only encourage healthy

recreational activities among youth but also contribute to the promotion of local sports

and community engagement. He instructed officials to adopt sustainable and effective

development models wherever parks were constructed to maximize public benefit and

ensure long-term usability.

The Commissioner further directed all Deputy Commissioners to increase the frequency

of field visits, emphasizing that continuous monitoring was essential for maintaining quality,

transparency, and accountability in project implementation. Consultants were also directed

to strictly adhere to approved designs and ensure the timely completion of all development

works. He further directed that main village streets should be paved with tuff tiles and

equipped with streetlights according to standardized designs. Detailed planning should

also be prepared for each project, including road lengths, the number of streetlights to

be installed, and other infrastructure components, to ensure consistency and quality

across all development schemes.

The meeting was also briefed on the progress made by the Punjab Rural Municipal

Services Company (PRMSC) in providing basic civic facilities under the Model Village

Program.

Divisional Coordinator Tauseef Anwar informed participants that a one-year timeframe

had been set for the completion of project and that development activities were currently

underway in various villages across the division. At the conclusion of meeting, participants

reaffirmed their commitment to completing all projects under the Model Village Program

within the stipulated period and in accordance with the highest quality standards, ensuring

improved living conditions and access to modern civic amenities for rural communities

throughout Bahawalpur Division.