DERA GHAZI KHAN: The long-awaited visit of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has sparked a flurry of activity in Dera Ghazi Khan with civic administration, police and municipal departments springing into action to show a better picture of the city.

Scheduled to arrive on Monday (today), the CM’s visit has led to road repairs, cleanliness drives and traffic management initiatives, which have been warmly welcomed by the residents.

For the first time in years, encroachments from city roads were cleared, roads leading to key locations, including the Ghazi University, were repaired and traffic safety measures such as cat’s eyes were installed in front of the university’s entrance to ensure the safety of students, faculty and visitors.

The residents, however, expressed mixed feelings, with many emphasizing that such improvements occur only during the visits of the dignitaries, demanding the need for consistent efforts by the administration to maintain civic facilities.

Preparations for the chief minister’s arrival were in full swing on Saturday and Sunday with administrative officers, police, waste management teams and corporation officials working tirelessly to ensure a clean and secure environment.

Large welcome banners featuring pictures of Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif were displayed on major roads, intersections and even on fruit stalls at traffic squares.

During her visit, the chief minister is expected to distribute laptops among the students in a special ceremony, review the ongoing development projects and meet various political delegations.

Senior officials, including the parliamentarians, additional chief secretary south Punjab, additional IG South Punjab, commissioner and RPO Dera Ghazi Khan, will be present to welcome her.

The city residents are hopeful that the visit will result in sustained improvements and it would prompt the administration to maintain cleanliness and infrastructure on a regular basis.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2025