LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has tasked MPAs with closely monitoring the quality and transparency of development projects in their constituencies, raising the question what expertise or technical resources do lawmakers themselves have to assess whether a project meets engineering standards or has been executed transparently.’
According to a handout, the chief minister issued the direction during a meeting with MPAs from Sahiwal district, where political and development matters were discussed in detail. Those who met her included Wilayat Shah, Qasim Nadeem, Arshad Malik, Nadeem Aslam Lodhi, Rana Riaz Ahmed and Muhammad Hanif.
The directive raises a broader question about the role envisaged for elected representatives in monitoring development projects. How would an MPA determine whether construction material, design and workmanship meet the required technical standards or whether expenditure has been incurred transparently without access to independent engineering expertise, technical equipment or audit mechanisms? While MPAs can identify complaints and monitor progress at the ground level, the actual technical execution and supervision of schemes rests largely with engineers and the civil administration.
In the meeting, CM Maryam also announced that 14 more electric buses would soon be provided to Sahiwal and asked the lawmakers to keep a close watch on development schemes being executed in the city.
The lawmakers appreciated the chief minister’s development initiatives, particularly the beautification of Sahiwal, and described the expansion of development schemes to small cities and villages under the Punjab Development Programme as a significant step.
They welcomed the establishment of 10 state-of-the-art Nawaz Sharif Schools of Eminence in Sahiwal Division and expressed gratitude for sewerage and drainage projects in Sahiwal and other cities.
The MPAs also praised the launch of electric bus services in Sahiwal, saying the buses were providing transport facilities to thousands of residents on routes including Arifwala Bypass, Yousafwala, Noor Shah, KFC Bypass, General Bus Stand-Kameer, Adda Sabeel and Bala Mor.
The chief minister said development projects were no longer being confined to major cities but were being extended to the village level. She said the Nawaz Sharif Schools of Eminence would provide children from poor and affluent families with equal educational opportunities.The chief minister stated that the standard of the schools would be no less than that of leading private schools.
