Kasur: District Reporter Sadaf Arshad | ReNews Pakistan Under the directives of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif , the Pattoki administration has launched a major beautification and green belt development project along Multan Road, aimed at improving roadside aesthetics, urban greenery, and public spaces. The initiative is being closely monitored on a regular basis by Assistant Commissioner Pattoki, Farooq Azam. The project involves systematic plantation of trees, shrubs, and landscaped greenery on both sides of Multan Road, a key arterial route connecting Pattoki to major urban and rural areas of central Punjab. Work also includes removal of encroachments, clearing of debris, and organizing roadside spaces to create safer, cleaner, and more visually appealing corridors for pedestrians, residents, and commuters. Officials have stated that the initiative is part of the provincial government's eco-friendly and urban beautification vision, which seeks to promote environmental sustainability, reduce pollution, and provide improved outdoor spaces in fast-growing towns like Pattoki. The green belts are also expected to enhance property values and stimulate commercial activity along the corridor. During frequent on-site inspections, Deputy Commissioner Kasur Asif Raza and Assistant Commissioner Farooq Azam have supervised planting schedules, irrigation arrangements, and construction of walkways, ensuring the project meets established standards. Residents and business owners have been urged to cooperate in maintaining the newly planted greenery and avoid unauthorized dumping or encroachments along the road. The administration has directed relevant municipal and parks departments to implement regular maintenance schedules, including watering, pruning, and cleaning of landscaped areas. Continuous monitoring by the Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner is aimed at sustaining the greenery and preventing damage from public or private encroachments. The project will be executed in phases, with the first phase focusing on central sections of Multan Road near commercial and residential junctions. Subsequent phases are planned to expand landscaping and aesthetic enhancements to adjacent residential sectors and service lanes. Officials emphasized that the initiative not only improves the urban environment and quality of life in Pattoki but also has long-term positive effects on land use patterns and property development, aligning with broader provincial goals for sustainable urban growth.

A modern fruit and vegetable market is under construction in the Doolle Wala area of Kasur, as part of the Punjab government’s “Modern Punjab” initiative. The project aims to upgrade markets across the province with modern facilities, making trade more transparent, organized, and consumer-friendly. Planned features include transparent auctions, price regulation, improved sanitation, clean water, enhanced lighting, modern toilets, waste management, and tracking systems. Additionally, the market will include a drainage system, manhole covers, conversion of waste into biogas and poultry feed, help desk, rate boards, and truck tracking mechanisms. This initiative is part of the modernization of 188 vegetable markets in Punjab, with new markets also being established in Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Mian Channu, Sheikhupura, and Mandi Bahauddin. Some local residents and traders have raised concerns regarding the chosen location, noting that proximity to existing areas may cause traffic or other operational challenges. At the same time, the government maintains that the new market will provide the public with affordable, high-quality, and safe fruits and vegetables, while promoting organized trade and reducing monopolistic practices. Experts say that the construction of modern markets will help ensure transparency in trade, better waste management, and improved convenience for consumers, though the integration of local feedback and concerns will be important for smooth implementation.

Kasur: District Reporter, Sadaf Arshad | ReNews Pakistan Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed authorities to carry out extensive beautification and urban improvement works at entry and exit points of cities across the province, placing emphasis on planned land use, public spaces, and civic infrastructure. During a special meeting on the Punjab Development Plan (PDP), the chief minister ordered thorough cleanliness and maintenance beneath overhead bridges and along major urban corridors. She instructed that green belts, landscaped areas, and play zones be developed as part of city gateway planning to improve the overall urban environment and public accessibility. She also directed the decoration and aesthetic enhancement of overhead bridges and underpasses, stressing that such structures should be integrated into broader urban design and land planning frameworks. The objective is to ensure that transport infrastructure contributes positively to city landscapes rather than creating neglected or underutilized spaces. To strengthen oversight and accountability, the chief minister ordered that all PDP projects be geo-tagged. This will allow authorities to monitor project locations, progress, and compliance with approved development plans, helping to curb unauthorized changes in land use and delays in execution. Addressing highway-related infrastructure, Maryam Nawaz Sharif sought a detailed plan for the establishment of standardized washroom facilities along provincial highways. She highlighted that such facilities are an essential component of highway land planning, particularly for long-distance travelers and transport operators. Deputy commissioners from Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhakkar, Vehari, Wazirabad, Sheikhupura, and Kasur briefed the meeting on the progress of PDP projects in their districts. The briefings included updates on urban development schemes, public space improvement initiatives, and land-related infrastructure works. The chief minister instructed district administrations to ensure that development projects are implemented in line with approved land use plans, avoid encroachments, and deliver functional public amenities. She emphasized that urban development must remain people-centric, environmentally responsible, and aligned with long-term planning goals. The directives form part of Punjab’s broader urban renewal strategy aimed at improving city aesthetics, regulating land use, and strengthening civic infrastructure under the Punjab Development Plan.