ADB delegation meets Marriyum Aurangzeb on Punjab projects

LAHORE – Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb met a high-level delegation from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday. They discussed ongoing and proposed projects in sectors including health, education, agriculture, flood management, and climate resilience.

The ADB delegation included Director AFR Jean Feng Zhang, Country Director Emma Fan, Program Officer Khayam Sohail Abbasi, and Nisanka Salgado. During the meeting, both sides exchanged detailed ideas on development priorities, strategies, and implementation plans across Punjab.

Aurangzeb highlighted that under Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, development projects are implemented with transparency, digitization, and effective planning. She introduced Punjab One Map, a digital tool covering land, infrastructure, population, and underground assets to improve sectoral planning.

On education and health, the minister said demand-based planning is underway for medical districts, modern cath labs, and educational facilities. She added that the Safe City Project will be completed in all 36 districts by June, along with the delivery of 160,000 homes.

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In transport, metro projects, e-buses, and e-bikes are being introduced in Gujranwala and Faisalabad. Additionally, 98% of Social Economic Registry data is complete, and 186 public services have been digitized for easier access.

Aurangzeb also noted progress in agriculture, including e-modernization, mechanization, agri-business malls, aquaculture, and shrimp farming. Farmers will receive 20,000 spreaders and mulchers this year to reduce production costs and support environmental sustainability.

The minister highlighted flood management, irrigation, climate action, cold storage, logistics, and value addition initiatives. The ADB delegation praised Punjab’s reforms, digital governance, and agricultural efforts, promising support for exports, fisheries, and value addition.

Aurangzeb concluded by thanking the ADB delegation and invited them to participate in the Basant Festival with their families. She emphasized that collaboration with ADB will continue to strengthen development and modernization across Punjab.