Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Friday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for four major development projects worth Rs5.61 billion in Sahiwal, aimed at improving sports facilities, urban infrastructure, agricultural services and regional connectivity.
On this occasion, the chief minister inaugurated Punjab’s first Maryam Nawaz Sports Arena in Sahiwal, featuring paddle courts, cricket and futsal arenas, a café and other modern facilities, with online booking available. She also interacted with players, signed autographs and joined them in cricket and football activities. She later inaugurated the Model Sadar Bazaar Beautification Project, which includes underground wiring for electricity and other utilities, tiled walkways, pedestrian passages, benches, planters, waste bins and improved access facilities.
Maryam Nawaz also inaugurated the Model Agriculture Mall in Sahiwal and laid the foundation stones for 10 similar facilities in Jhang, Faisalabad, Renala Khurd, Khanewal, Jampur, Burewala, Sadiqabad, Muridke, Pindi Gheb and Mianwali. The malls will provide certified seeds, fertilisers and pesticides under one roof, alongside modern agricultural machinery and drone technology on rent, farmer training, expert consultations, testing facilities and financial and credit support.
The chief minister also laid the foundation stone for the 27-kilometre Sahiwal-Arifwala dual carriageway, which is expected to benefit residents across three districts. She directed the authorities to expedite construction and ensure timely completion.
Thousands of people, including women and children, gathered to welcome her during the visit. She also greeted an elderly woman and took a selfie with a young child, while local lawmakers termed the road project a landmark initiative and expressed gratitude for its launch.
Separately, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that despite budgetary difficulties and limited financial resources, the Punjab government was going to provide 100,000 electric bikes to young people. Addressing a laptop distribution ceremony at the University of Sahiwal, Maryam Nawaz Sharif said one reason for inviting applications was the budgetary difficulties, as financial resources were limited.
She said the Federal government had taken money from Punjab this year, but she had provided it. “How can I refuse now?” she asked. Referring to applications and registrations for 100,000 bikes, the chief minister said a large number of people had registered when applications were invited.
Maryam Nawaz further said she had travelled by road to fulfil a promise made to children despite the cancellation of her helicopter flight due to rain, as she did not want the children to keep waiting for her. The Punjab chief minister said she had been scheduled to arrive by helicopter, but the flight was cancelled in the morning due to rain in Lahore, after which she decided to travel by road. She said she thought it was not possible for the children to wait for her while she failed to arrive.