Punjab govt extends scope of model villages: minister

LAHORE: The Punjab government is extending the scope of the Model Village Programme by selecting 7, 500 more villages in its next phase, aimed at bridging the urban-rural divide by providing city-like facilities to the rural population. This was stated by Punjab Local Government Minister ZeeshanRafique while chairing a review meeting on Saturday. The ambitious, multi-phase project, running under the direct supervision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, seeks to completely overhaul rural infrastructure across the province by delivering modern municipal services, paved streets, solar lights, and recreational parks. “Providing city-like facilities to the rural population is a unique project, ” the minister said. While addressing the meeting, the minister said that the Model Village Programmehad been moving forward under the supervision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. “Development work will be completed in 40 villages of different tehsils during the current month of July; the PRMSC is ensuring implementation on the timeline, ” he added. “In the first phase, 485 villages will be converted into model villages by December 31. All necessary municipal services are being provided in every model village. It is very gratifying that the feedback from the population of the villages where the work is being done is very good, ” he added. He further said that the Punjab government was ensuring the provision of all possible resources for the model village programme. “The PRMSC has utilised almost 100 percent of the funds of the concluding financial year. The streets will be paved in every model village, and streetlights will be installed. Moreover, children will have access to entertainment after building a children’s park in each model village, ” he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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