BAHAWALPUR, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 28th Apr, 2026) Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia chaired a meeting to review progress on ongoing development projects across the division, beautification initiatives, the “Model Village Programme,” and the “Apna Khet Apna Rozgar Scheme.”
The meeting also reviewed progress under the Punjab Chief Minister’s Development Programme, including sewerage, storm-water drainage, street pavement and park improvement schemes. Deputy Commissioner Bahawalpur Syed Hassan Raza attended the meeting in person, while Deputy Commissioner Bahawalnagar Zulfiqar Ahmad Bhoun and Deputy Commissioner Rahim Yar Khan Zaheer Anwar Jappa joined through video link. The deputy commissioners of all three districts briefed the meeting on progress of ongoing schemes and challenges being faced in implementation.
Addressing the participants, Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia said the government of Punjab was offering a golden opportunity to empower landless farmers by providing agricultural land on a 10-year lease under the “Apna Khet Apna Rozgar Scheme.” He said the initiative would help farmers become self-reliant, increase agricultural production and strengthen the rural economy. He termed the programme an important step toward job creation and farmers’ prosperity.
The commissioner directed officials to further improve facilities being provided to farmers so they could carry out agricultural activities more effectively.
He reaffirmed the vision of “Prosperous Farmers, Prosperous Pakistan.”
The meeting also reviewed development works underway in Bahawalpur under the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for a “Beautiful Punjab.”
The commissioner directed authorities to prioritize rural infrastructure development in all tehsils under the “Model Village Programme,” with special focus on sewerage and drainage systems and construction of main roads. He emphasized that all development schemes should be completed on time and according to quality standards so that citizens could benefit from improved facilities at the earliest.
During the briefing, officials informed the meeting that a comprehensive development project worth Rs6.8166 billion was underway in Hasilpur under the Chief Minister’s Development Programme. The scheme includes laying a 94-kilometre new sewerage line, establishment of a new disposal station with 26-cusec capacity, rehabilitation and upgradation of two existing disposal stations, installation of 447 new manhole covers, and 200 new streetlights across the city.
The meeting was further informed that excavation had been completed for a 10-million-gallon underground storage tank at Allama Iqbal Park, while proposals were under consideration for construction of storage tanks at two additional water ponding points in the city.
