Lahore: Local Government Minister Punjab, Zeeshan Rafiq, announced that the ‘Dream One’ project, aimed at enhancing municipal services, is set to be completed by 2028 with financial backing from the World Bank, totaling $225 million. The announcement came during a meeting at the Civil Secretariat, which focused on the improvement of sanitation, water supply, and sewerage disposal systems across various tehsils in Punjab.
According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab announcement issued on 04 September 2024, Minister Rafiq presided over the meeting where he emphasized the directive from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to expedite the initiation of municipal projects throughout the province. The meeting was attended by key officials including Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmad Mian, Additional Secretaries Maria Tariq and Arshad Baig, and Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company Managing Director Syed Zahid Aziz, who briefed on various ongoing and new schemes.
The implementation of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s instructions and the plans for providing municipal services across 35 districts were thoroughly reviewed. Minister Rafiq detailed that municipal services in two tehsils will be completed at a cost of $250 million by 2025, and an additional $553 million will be allocated for water supply and sewerage schemes in 16 other tehsils.
Further expanding the scope of these projects, Rafiq expressed determination to initiate the ‘Dream-II’ project with support from the World Bank. He highlighted the expected improvements in the quality of life and municipal infrastructure in 141 villages across the province.
The meeting also addressed financial considerations for the Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Investment Program (PICP) and the Dream-II project. Decisions were made to commence study work for advancing local government projects, and directives were issued to ensure the inclusion of disposal stations in every project. Secretary Mian revealed plans to convert 545 disposal stations to solar energy and to initiate schemes in 22 cities with populations ranging from 25,000 to 100,000.