LAHORE:Chief Minister Usman Buzdar presided over a high-level meeting here on Sunday and accorded approval in principle to the construction and expansion of four provincial highways.

He directed the communication and works department to complete matters related to the projects within the stipulated time. He said the foundation stone of 204-kilometre dual carriageway connecting Chichawatni, Rajana, Pirmahal, Chowk Azam, Layyah and Taunsa would be laid this year, while the 107km Jhang bypass-Shorkot road project would also be launched soon.

Likewise, work on the 150km Depalpur-Pakpattan-Vehari road project will be undertaken shortly, while the meeting approved 75km Hasilpur-Bahawalnagar road project.

Mr Buzdar said that Sahiwal and Chichawatni would be linked with the motorway. Under the second phase of Naya Pakistan Manzilain Aasan programme, at least 154 schemes of 1,076km-long rural roads would be constructed and expanded across the province at a cost of Rs15 billion.

Meanwhile, the chief minister attended a special ceremony at his office as a chief guest in connection with Punjab Culture Day.

Participants of the ceremony were dressed in traditional Punjabi turbans. Culture Minister Khayal Ahmed Kastro presented a traditional turban to Mr Buzdar, who in turn presented a turban to Mr Kastro and adviser to the PM Shehzad Akbar.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2021