TAXILA: A comprehensive Rs3.28 billion development plan has been approved for Hazro under Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s model city project, which aims to transform 21 cities across the province into model, modern, and aesthetically developed urban centers.

District monitoring committee member and former Punjab Minister Jahangir Khanzada while talking to newsmenon Wednesday said that the multi billion project would be completed within two years, focusing on infrastructure, beautification, and long-term civic improvement.

Responding to a question, he said that under the plan, major development work will be carried out from Chhachh Interchange to Colonel Shuja Khanzada Shaheed Road (Tarbela Road), covering Toll Tax Nartopa Chowk, Khagwani Chowk, and Tarbela Chowk (Ghora Chowk).

One of the project’s key components is to address Hazro’s decades-old drainage issue by diverting wastewater from Fawawra Chowk to Ghora Chowk and channeling it through a bypass to the Sim Nullah near Riyaz Hospital.

Mr Khanzada said that the scheme also includes beautification and modernization of Hazro city, featuring tough tile installation, dedicated vehicle parking spaces, and upgraded commercial areas, turning the city into a cleaner and more accessible urban hub.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2025