Model village programme: Restoration of 40,000 traditional village ponds on card

Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique directs that a feasibility report be prepared for cleaning of about 40,000 ponds as chief minister has sought comprehensive plan

LAHORE: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-March 4^th, 2026) On directions from the chief minister a review meeting on Model Village Program chaired by Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique decided to conduct a survey to restore traditional ponds of more than 22,000 villages of Punjab.

Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Special Secretary Arshad Baig also attended the meeting while Project Director Punjab Rural Municipal Services Company (PRMSC) Asadullah briefed the provincial minister about various aspects of the programme.

Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique directed that a feasibility report be prepared for the cleaning of about 40,000 ponds as chief minister has sought comprehensive plan. He observed that environmental problems have arisen due to the elimination of village huts. "It is unfortunate that these huts have been converted into swamps with the passage of time. The restoration of ponds for creation of rainwater reservoirs will not only improve the groundwater level but will also promote aquaculture", he hoped. He expressed his determination that the scope of the model village program would be expanded to all villages in phases.

The meeting also considered a presentation for Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Zeeshan Rafique said that sewage will be laid in every model village while all drains will be covered. He said that the project to provide modern facilities in the villages under the supervision of PRMSC is moving forward.

"God willing, no street will remain unpaved in any model village after the program is completed. There will also be a filtration plant in the model village and street lights will be installed", he pledged.

The Minister for Local Government said that comprehensive master planning has been done for the villages under the program. "With the completion of the program, he went on, "a new and beautiful look of the villages will emerge".

On this occasion, Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian directed the Project Director to also take the help of artificial intelligence for the survey of the villages saying that better data collection will facilitate the effective completion of the project.