The Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP), in its 31st meeting of the current fiscal year held on Friday, approved one development project and three position papers worth a combined Rs3 billion in the sectors of Environment, Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries (FW&F), and Tourism.
The session, chaired by Planning and Development (P&D) Board Chairman Dr. Naeem Rauf, gave the green light to several initiatives, including the establishment of an Environment Protection Force across 10 zones of Punjab with an estimated cost of Rs2.948 billion.
Other approved items included the Digital Enumeration of Linear Plantations in Punjab (position paper for creation of posts), strengthening of the PM&E Wing of the Forest Department (position paper for creation of posts and procurement of vehicles), and the establishment of a Programme Management Unit for planning, designing, and executing the Tourism Promotion and Business Development Plan, including IT-based interventions (position paper for creation of posts and procurement of vehicles).
The meeting was attended by P&D Board Secretary Rafaqat Ali, Chief Economist Masood Anwar, board members, and other senior officials.
In a related development, Punjab Secretary for Sports and Youth Affairs, Muzaffar Khan Sial, announced a major expansion of sports infrastructure across the province, with billions of rupees allocated to grassroots and elite-level initiatives.
The plan includes the construction of multi-purpose sports complexes with modern facilities aimed at reshaping Punjab’s sports landscape. During a high-level meeting at Punjab Stadium, Sial confirmed that 55 out of 88 planned schemes had already been approved. He instructed officials to expedite the clearance of pending projects and address administrative hurdles.
“We are determined to provide every district with access to quality sports infrastructure,” Sial stated.
The meeting, attended by DG Sports Punjab Khizar Afzaal Ch, Additional Secretary Mian Usman Ali, and Director Admin Abid Shaukat, focused on accelerating project timelines and prioritizing the rehabilitation of sports facilities damaged by recent floods.
Sial underscored the urgency of restoring flood-affected venues, reaffirming the department’s commitment to resilience and continuity. “Our athletes deserve uninterrupted access to training and competition facilities,” he emphasized.
This large-scale sports infrastructure drive reflects Punjab’s broader strategy to foster youth engagement, nurture athletic talent, and ensure equitable access to sports opportunities across the province.
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