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Punjab Approves Rs23 Billion Push to Secure and Develop Katcha Belt

The package seeks to turn recent security gains into lasting state presence across the river belt.

Overview

  • Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz approved a Rs23 billion plan that sets aside Rs7.1 billion for law and order, Rs13.9 billion for social infrastructure, and Rs1.7 billion for other works.
  • Officials ordered an immediate rollout of services, including NADRA mobile teams to issue identity cards and child certificates, mobile health clinics, and new transport links.
  • Security upgrades will add solar-powered drones that can fly for more than 24 hours, Safe City–style digital monitoring, cameras on police vehicles and posts, and a paid scheme for surrendering illegal weapons.
  • The Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar program will allot 14,500 acres of state land to local cultivators, with limits on tall crops along key roads to reduce cover for criminals.
  • Schools and roads are slated for rapid investment, with 65 upgrades, 16 new schools, two girls’ colleges, meal packs for 6,551 girls, 300 scholarships, 300 laptops, model villages, and skills training, while officials report five months without a major crime and approve hardship pay plus eased police recruitment for local youth.