LAHORE(National Times)- Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced a development package worth Rs23 billion for the Katcha areas of the province, to improve infrastructure, security and socioeconomic conditions of the residents, saying that since the area has been cleansed of criminals, it will witness development.
Presiding over a meeting here on Thursday, the CM announced allocation of 14,500 acres of state land for distribution among the residents of the Katcha belt.
She ordered initiation of National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) services in the area, along with provision of transport facilities, mobile clinics, veterinary hospitals and laboratories.
According to the plan, of the Rs23bn package, a sum of Rs7.1bn will be spent on law and order, Rs13.9bn on social infrastructure and Rs1.7bn on other sectors in the Katcha areas.
It envisages completion of a total 108 kilometres of soling and 27 road schemes, spanning 144km. Additionally, under the proposed plan, 65 schools will be upgraded, 16 new schools to be established and two girls’ colleges will be constructed in the areas.
“For the first time, modern solar-powered drone surveillance has been introduced in the Katcha areas. Monitoring will also be implemented at police stations and check-posts, while advanced armoured personnel carriers (APCs) and police vehicles will be equipped with surveillance cameras,” the CM said.
The chief minister also approved the launch of a model village project in the Katcha belt, along with skills development programmes worth Rs125 million.
She also approved hard area allowance for the police personnel performing duties in the region and imposed a ban on cultivation of tall crops along main roads for security purposes.
Briefing the journalists after the meeting, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said there would be no “no-go areas” in Punjab, saying that the Katcha areas would now be fully transformed into a developed and secure region.
She said that after 76 years, the writ of the state had been firmly established in these areas and the era of dacoits had been brought to an end.
She said that 14,500 acres of government land would be provided free of cost to local farmers for cultivation, enabling them to become self-reliant under the “Apna Khet Apna Rozgar” programme.
“The comprehensive development plan includes the establishment of new schools and colleges, upgrade of existing educational institutions, 300 merit-based scholarships and a special quota of free laptops for students. Additionally, 1,000 livestock cards will be issued to support women through financial assistance for livestock farming, alongside skills development programmes,” she said.
She emphasised that no criminal or anti-state element would be allowed to regroup in the katcha area.
The minister also announced special concessions for local youths in police recruitment, including relaxation in height and chest requirements, to maximise employment opportunities for the area residents.
“Infrastructure development will include the construction of roads, bridges and model villages, bringing long-neglected regions into the development mainstream,” she said and added the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) network was being expanded to cover these areas, enabling real-time digital surveillance.
Similar systems were also operational in the border districts like Mianwali and Khushab, she added.
