BAHAWALPUR - Divisional Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia chaired a meeting on Thursday to assess the progress of development projects under the Model Village Program. The session centered on upgrading 35 selected villages across the division and providing modern municipal and civic facilities to rural communities.
Meeting Attendees
The meeting was attended by Member Provincial Assembly Khalid Mahmood Jajja, Deputy Commissioner Bahawalpur Syed Hassan Raza, Additional Commissioner Coordination Dr. Nayyar Mustafa, Director Local Government Khurshid Ahmed, Director Development Ismat Ullah, Divisional Coordinator Model Village Program Tauseef Anwar, and other concerned officers. Deputy Commissioners from other districts of Bahawalpur Division participated via video link.
Commissioner's Remarks
Addressing the meeting, Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia stated that, in line with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Model Village Program aims to improve the quality of life in rural areas by ensuring the provision of essential public services and modern infrastructure. He explained that the initiative includes the development of water supply systems, sanitation facilities, street lighting, road improvements, and other basic amenities, enabling rural residents to benefit from services comparable to those available in urban areas.
Focus on Sustainable Development
The Commissioner emphasized that the Punjab Government was giving special priority to rural development and that the Model Village Program represents a significant step toward achieving sustainable growth in rural communities. He directed all relevant departments to ensure that development projects were completed according to prescribed standards and timelines while accelerating the pace of work so that residents could benefit from the facilities as soon as possible.
Parks and Playgrounds
During the meeting, proposals for the establishment of parks and playgrounds in several villages were also discussed. Commissioner Kathia noted that parks and sports facilities not only encourage healthy recreational activities among youth but also contribute to the promotion of local sports and community engagement. He instructed officials to adopt sustainable and effective development models wherever parks were constructed to maximize public benefit and ensure long-term usability.
