LAHORE: The Punjab government has announced plans to implement the Punjab Prosperous Villages Act 2026, initiating a pilot project aimed at enhancing rural infrastructure and living conditions in 120 villages. This initiative was decided upon during a special meeting led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, where a comprehensive outline for transforming villages into model settlements was discussed.

According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab, the chief minister has sanctioned the creation of village committees, which will be established in collaboration with elected public representatives. These committees will be responsible for overseeing local development efforts, with an assistant commissioner serving as the head and a deputy commissioner supervising the activities.

The committees will consist of four public representatives and four government officials, including a headteacher, the union council secretary, and a doctor from a basic health unit or Maryam Nawaz Health Clinic. The proposed development initiatives include the installation of sewerage and drainage systems and the construction of paved streets in each village.

Chief Minister Sharif emphasized her administration’s commitment to transforming all villages in Punjab into model settlements, ensuring that the benefits of development reach rural areas as well as urban centers. She highlighted the importance of local resident involvement in planning development schemes and stressed the need for quality and transparency at every phase.

Members of the provincial assembly and party ticket-holders will be tasked with overseeing the development projects in their respective areas. The chief minister expressed confidence in the long-term goal of establishing every village in Punjab as a model of development.