LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved the construction of 800 additional mini dams in the Potohar region over the next three years to enhance rainwater harvesting and strengthen the province’s long-term water conservation strategy.

She was chairing a meeting on the ‘transformation of agriculture and water management’ here on Wednesday.

She was informed that 110 mini dams had already been completed across Punjab under the government’s water preservation initiative.

CM Maryam directed the authorities to prepare a comprehensive plan for developing surface water bodies to maximise rainwater storage and called for further strengthening of the legal framework governing groundwater management.

Says project to boost rainwater harvest; reiterates stance on rape; CTD sets up cell to monitor blasphemy-related cases

Reviewing agricultural support measures, the meeting also decided to provide 1,000 laser land levellers to farmers at a 50 per cent subsidy during the current financial year to improve land productivity and water-use efficiency.

Photographic evidence of recently completed mini dams in Attock, Talagang, Gujar Khan and Rawalpindi was presented during the meeting.

The meeting was informed that the adoption of high-efficiency irrigation systems had already saved 18,000 acre-feet of water while increasing crop yields by 50pc. An additional 30,000 acres would be brought under modern drip and sprinkler irrigation systems during the next three years.

Chairing a high-level meeting on law and order on Wednesday, the CM ordered strict legal action against those involved in rape, child abuse and corruption, directing authorities to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against crimes targeting women and children.

The chief minister reviewed the province’s security situation and called for a comprehensive strategy to eliminate rape, child abuse and corruption.

She was informed that the Safe City Project had been completed in all 43 districts of Punjab and would be formally inaugurated soon. The chief minister approved the installation of more than 2,000 additional Safe City cameras in Lahore and directed the expansion of the project to 98 more tehsils as well as riverine (Katcha) areas.

The meeting was told that the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) had established a dedicated cell to monitor blasphemy-related cases, while a Special Cyber Unit would be created to tackle cybercrime. Additional personnel were also being inducted to strengthen security and development in tribal areas.

Officials briefed the meeting that the registration of Imams had been completed and Rs10 billion had been released for more than 72,000 Imams across the province.

The CM was informed that more than 139,000 illegally residing foreign nationals had been repatriated so far. During 2026, 23,243 illegal foreign nationals had been deported, while 5,127 illegal Afghan nationals were shifted to holding centres during the first six months of the year.

The meeting was also told that documentary and biometric verification of over 1.25 million people had been completed across Punjab, while all arrangements had been finalised to ensure the transparent conduct of the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT).

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2026