Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the district administration of Diamer to implement livelihood development schemes worth PKR 972.571 million in communities surrounding the Diamer Bhasha Dam project. The initiative forms part of the project's broader Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), which are designed to enhance the socio-economic well-being of local residents while strengthening community participation in one of Pakistan's largest hydropower and water storage projects.
The agreement was signed by General Manager and Project Director of the Diamer Bhasha Dam Project, Dr. Engr. Nazakat Hussain, and Deputy Commissioner Diamer, Lt. (Retd.) Muhammad Owais Abbasi, in the presence of Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Secretary Arshad Majeed. WAPDA said the partnership reflects the authority's commitment to ensuring that communities directly affected by the mega project receive sustainable economic and social benefits alongside national infrastructure development.
Under the agreement, the livelihood schemes will be executed through the relevant government departments under the supervision of the Diamer district administration. The implementation process will also involve close consultation with local communities to ensure that projects address their priority needs and contribute to long-term economic opportunities.
To ensure transparency, accountability and quality standards, a joint oversight committee comprising representatives from the district administration, WAPDA and local community members will supervise the implementation of the schemes. The committee will monitor project execution, review progress and ensure that development activities are completed efficiently and in accordance with approved standards.
According to WAPDA, the livelihood programme is part of a much larger socio-economic development initiative under the Diamer Bhasha Dam Project, for which PKR 78.5 billion has been allocated. The authority said the investment is intended to improve the quality of life of people living in the project area through investments in infrastructure, education, energy and community development.
WAPDA highlighted that several major development initiatives have already been completed under this programme, including the Thore Hydel Power Station, Thak Hydel Power Station, and Cadet College Chilas. These projects have contributed to expanding electricity access, improving educational facilities and supporting broader regional development.
The Diamer Bhasha Dam remains one of Pakistan's most significant strategic infrastructure projects, expected to substantially increase the country's water storage capacity, strengthen hydropower generation and enhance water security while promoting long-term economic growth and sustainable development in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Punjab government has launched an urgent repair and reconstruction drive for 135 structurally unsafe government school buildings across Lahore, directing education authorities to complete critical rehabilitation work as quickly as possible to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and school staff.
According to the Punjab Education Department, the initiative follows concerns over the deteriorating condition of several government school buildings, many of which have become unsafe due to years of wear and delayed maintenance. Officials said the rehabilitation programme had been postponed last year following changes in government policy, leaving a significant number of repair and reconstruction projects incomplete.
A spokesperson for the department stated that authorities have now prioritized the pending works, with most repair activities scheduled to be completed during the ongoing summer vacations. The timeline has been designed to minimize disruption to academic activities while ensuring that schools are safe and fully functional before students return for the new term.
The decision also comes after multiple incidents of roof collapses and structural failures in aging school buildings raised serious concerns about student safety. To assess the situation comprehensively, the Education Department's Strategic Management Unit carried out a fresh survey to identify buildings requiring immediate intervention. The assessment helped determine the schools most in need of urgent repairs, reconstruction, and structural strengthening.
Officials confirmed that, in addition to restoring unsafe buildings, the government is also undertaking rehabilitation projects and constructing additional classrooms to accommodate growing student enrolment and improve learning facilities across the city.
With the arrival of the monsoon season, construction and repair activities have been accelerated to reduce potential risks associated with heavy rainfall and aging infrastructure. Authorities emphasized that all necessary measures are being taken to create a safer educational environment and prevent accidents caused by deteriorating school buildings.
The Education Department reaffirmed its commitment to completing the rehabilitation programme within the planned timeframe, ensuring that government schools provide secure, modern, and conducive learning environments for students throughout Lahore.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has decided in principle to launch the “Apna Ghar, Mehfooz Ghar” programme as a major initiative to improve the safety of residential buildings across the province in the wake of the Kahna tragedy.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed that financial assistance be provided to households with weak, dilapidated or unsafe roofs to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
A special meeting chaired by the chief minister reviewed the “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” and “Apni Zameen, Apna Ghar” programmes in detail. The meeting decided to expand the existing housing initiative by introducing two new financial assistance categories under the “Apna Ghar, Mehfooz Ghar” programme.
According to the proposals presented in the meeting, interest free loans of up to Rs 500,000 will be provided for the repair, rehabilitation and safety improvement of weak, dilapidated or unsafe homes. Citizens who want to construct an additional floor on their existing houses will be eligible for interest free loans of up to Rs1 million, repayable in easy instalments.
The chief minister also ordered the release of the second tranche of the “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” programme within three days and directed officials to make the loan process even easier so that more deserving families can benefit from the facility.
The meeting was informed that 134,343 houses have so far been completed across Punjab under the “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” programme, while interest free loans have been approved for more than 180,000 families. According to the briefing, around 170,000 families have already received loans, and more than 27,500 houses are in the final stages of completion.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif said the “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” programme and all related initiatives are flagship projects of the Punjab government, adding that negligence or delay will not be tolerated. She said the government would support citizens whose homes are unsafe or whose roofs are weak, stressing that good governance is reflected not in statements but in practical action.
Progress on the “Apni Zameen, Apna Ghar” programme was also reviewed during the meeting. Officials informed participants that 2,000 homeless families in 23 districts have already been given free residential plots, and they will also be provided interest free loans for house construction.