Khawaja Asif emphasises developmental projects in Sialkot.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif asserted that former administrations emphasised propaganda over substantive development, while the current government is prioritising public service and infrastructure initiatives.

While addressing an assembly in Sialkot, he remarked that numerous development projects are now under progress in the city. The DHQ Hospital project, sanctioned by Shahbaz Sharif in 2017 with an anticipated budget of Rs4-5 billion, has now increased to Rs9 billion.

Asif declared the construction of a substantial park on 54 acres in Sialkot, and the Ring Road project, with a budget of Rs18 billion, is approaching completion.

He stated that Punjab’s development rate is notable in comparison to other provinces, and the government’s commitment to public service will persist.

The federal minister additionally said that new projects for Sialkot will be incorporated in the forthcoming budget.

He emphasised the devastation inflicted last year by floods in the city’s three nullahs, attributing a significant portion of the harm to unlawful encroachments.

Authorities have extracted 7,000 tonnes of refuse from the nullahs; nonetheless, Asif cautioned that entities disseminating waste persist in their activities. He implored individuals accountable for unlawful constructions to dismantle them voluntarily, or confront governmental intervention.