Punjab sets October 15 deadline for local roads programme

Punjab Minister for Communications and Works Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharth has set October 15 as the deadline for completing Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s Local Roads Programme. He directed field formations across the province to finish all remaining road works within the set timelines, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan.

Bharth issued these directions while chairing a review meeting in Lahore on Tuesday. The meeting was attended in person by Communications and Works Secretary Raja Jahangir Anwar, the Special Secretary, Additional Secretaries and Chief Engineers. Superintending Engineers and Executive Engineers joined through a video link, APP reported.

ProPakistani said officials briefed the minister on progress and told him that the Highways Department remains on track to complete the Sohne Pind Sohniyan Rahwan Programme in October. Bharth set September 30 and October 5 as targets for field teams to complete additional road projects, and he repeated that the broader Local Roads Programme must be completed by October 15.

The minister directed officials to complete lane markings and finishing work alongside road construction. He also instructed Chief Engineers to visit project sites and inspect both completed and ongoing roads.

Bharth told the Road Asset Management team to start checking road quality, and he ordered a comprehensive assessment of 1,000 kilometres of roads under the programme.

He also announced Phase II of the Local Roads Programme in Punjab. Bharth said the provincial government was establishing a road network across the province under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s leadership, and he added that people remained satisfied with the quality of the improved roads.