News Desk
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the launch of a pilot project to develop 120 villages as model villages and decided to introduce the Khushhal Dehat Act 2026 in the province.
Chairing a special meeting here on Tuesday, the chief minister received a detailed briefing on the project to transform Punjab’s villages into model settlements. The meeting also decided to establish a village committee in each village in consultation with local public representatives. CM Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities concerned to immediately constitute the village committees and submit a comprehensive plan for the initiative. The relevant assistant commissioner will head each village committee, while the deputy commissioner will supervise all committees and oversee the project.
Each village committee will comprise four public representatives and four government representatives. The committee will include the head teacher, union council secretary, a doctor from the Basic Health Unit or Maryam Nawaz Health Clinic, and other relevant representatives.
The briefing stated that sewerage, drainage and paved streets would be provided in every village under the initiative. The CM said her resolve to transform all villages in Punjab into model villages was unwavering. “Development is no longer limited to big cities; its benefits will reach every village,” she said.
She said local residents would be consulted in planning and implementing village development projects to ensure that the initiatives reflected the needs of the communities.
CM Maryam Nawaz said the day was not far when every village in Punjab would become a model for others. She directed the authorities to ensure quality and transparency in all development projects.
The chief minister further directed that members of the provincial assembly and party ticket-holders would act as custodians of development projects in their respective villages.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has stressed the need to raise public awareness about osteoporosis, its prevention, early diagnosis and treatment on the occasion of World Osteoporosis Day.
In her special message on Tuesday, the chief minister said osteoporosis was often called a silent disease as it usually showed no obvious symptoms before a bone fracture occurred.
She said the 2026 theme of World Osteoporosis Day focused on protecting and strengthening bones for life. She emphasised that a balanced diet rich in calcium, vitamin D and protein was essential for maintaining strong bones.
CM Maryam Nawaz said the Punjab government was providing free treatment for bone and joint diseases through the Health Initiative Management Company and its panel hospitals across the province. She added that preventive healthcare programmes were promoting disease prevention, early diagnosis and public awareness.
The CM said basic medical services and nutritional counselling were also being provided to women and children through the Punjab Population Welfare Department, while mobile health units were extending healthcare and nutritional guidance to workers.