GUJRAT: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday announced mega projects for Gujranwala, including the Gujranwala Metrobus Project, worth Rs18 billion, the first state-of-art cardiac hospital and a burns unit in the city.

During her visit to Gujranwala on Thursday, she also ordered the construction and repair of small and big roads of the city.

Former CM and current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had promised the metrobus project for the citizens of Gujranwala in 2018 just before the end of his last tenure as the chief minister of the province.

Maryam ordered early completion of the Nigar Chowk Stadium and sought steps to build parks and beautification of the city. She issued directions for increasing the number of field hospitals and clinics on wheels. She directed the officials to upgrade of the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) and ensure cleaning of drains.

Under the ‘Pink Wheel’ project for women’s help in Gujranwala, she said, the women police would immediately arrive on pink bikes to address women’s complaints related to police. The CM directed to control artificial inflation along with reducing prices of essential commodities.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said, “For the first time in Punjab, regular cleaning and repair work of roads are being done in the rural areas. Early drainage of rainwater must be ensured during the monsoon. Do not make anyone unemployed, the wheel-carts should be parked on the road side in an orderly manner. Water filtration, streetlights and manhole covers should be installed. The operation should continue in Gujranwala to sternly deal with drug peddlers. Food and drink will be provided by the government during Muharram.”

She commended the police for elimination of kite flying and extortion.

The CM met the assembly members and PML-N candidates in the last election at the commissioner’s office where assembly members presented their problems, suggestions and recommendations.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was briefed on Gujranwala development projects and apprised about available municipal services.

Information Minister Azma Bokhari, provincial minister Sohaib Ahmad Malik, Khurram Dastagir Khan, members of national and provincial assembly, chief secretary, the commissioner and other officials were also present.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2024