District Bahawalpur

Bahawalpur : ReNews Pakistan The Punjab government has formally launched the “Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar” programme in Cholistan, initiating the distribution of state agricultural land among eligible families as part of a major effort to expand farming activity, create livelihood opportunities and bring underutilised land into productive use. Under the programme, the provincial government has earmarked approximately 83,000 acres of agricultural land in Cholistan for distribution among eligible beneficiaries, according to the Bahawalpur commissioner. More than 16,000 families are expected to benefit from the initiative, with each eligible household receiving a five-acre agricultural plot for cultivation. The programme represents a significant land-based livelihood initiative in the Cholistan region, where access to cultivable land and financial resources remains an important factor in improving household incomes and strengthening the local agricultural economy. At the formal launch ceremony, officials handed over allotment letters to 25 successful applicants, marking the beginning of the land distribution process. According to the Cholistan Development Authority (CDA), the programme attracted considerable interest from local communities, receiving a total of 52,158 applications. Following scrutiny and verification of applicants, 27,647 applications were approved as eligible, indicating that demand for agricultural land under the programme substantially exceeds the number of plots currently available for distribution. In the first phase, the Punjab government plans to allocate agricultural land to 10,290 eligible Cholistan families. The remaining distribution is expected to proceed in accordance with the programme's implementation framework and availability of designated land. Alongside the land allocation, the provincial government is introducing a substantial financial support package aimed at helping beneficiaries convert their allotted plots into productive farmland. In collaboration with the Punjab Agriculture Department, the government will provide approximately Rs 4.25 billion in financial assistance under the scheme. Each beneficiary will be entitled to receive Rs 50,000 per acre, which can be used for preparing the allotted land, initiating cultivation and meeting other essential farming expenses. For a household receiving the standard five-acre allocation, the assistance could amount to Rs 250,000, providing initial capital to help beneficiaries begin agricultural operations. The combination of land allocation and cultivation assistance is intended to ensure that beneficiaries are not merely provided with land but also have access to the financial resources required to make their holdings productive. The initiative is expected to contribute to agricultural development in Cholistan while creating new income-generating opportunities for thousands of families dependent on farming and related rural economic activities. With 83,000 acres earmarked for distribution, more than 16,000 prospective beneficiary families and billions of rupees allocated for agricultural support, the programme could also have wider implications for land utilisation, rural employment and agricultural production across the Cholistan region.

Bahawalpur’s Commissioner Musarat Jabeen has directed civic agencies to accelerate work on major development schemes, stressing that timely completion and uncompromised quality are now top administrative priorities. Chairing a high-level review meeting, she examined the performance of development authorities and the status of several ongoing public projects across the city. During the session, the Commissioner reviewed the upgradation of the Central Library, a project she described as pivotal to the city’s intellectual and cultural landscape. She urged officials to maintain continuity in construction activities, avoid any lapse in standards and ensure that all stages of the project are completed within the approved timeline. Officials also briefed her on the latest engineering designs, interior refurbishment plans, digital facilities and infrastructure improvements included in the scheme. The meeting also considered development projects recently approved by the Punjab government, notably the establishment of a modern burn unit at Bahawalpur Victoria Hospital. The new facility aims to provide advanced treatment for severe burn injuries and to enhance emergency medical services for millions of residents across South Punjab. Commissioner Jabeen instructed departments to ensure transparent monitoring, timely utilisation of development funds and strict quality control so that public infrastructure progresses in line with the city’s expanding needs. The meeting was attended by senior officers, engineers and planning officials, who shared detailed briefings on their respective areas of work.