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Maryam Nawaz calls for people-centered urban development while highlighting Punjab’s housing, infrastructure, and rural modernisation initiatives.
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Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has called for a stronger focus on human-centered urban development, stressing that cities should be designed not only around infrastructure but also around improving quality of life, social welfare, and economic opportunity.
Speaking at the World Urban Forum in Azerbaijan, Maryam Nawaz said urban development strategies must prioritise people alongside roads, buildings, and transport infrastructure. She stated that sustainable urban planning should address social inclusion, environmental resilience, and long-term economic growth.
During her address, the chief minister conveyed goodwill from Pakistan’s leadership and praised the growing relationship between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. She also acknowledged Azerbaijan’s development progress under President Ilham Aliyev while paying tribute to the country’s founding leader Heydar Aliyev, describing him as a close friend of Pakistan.
Maryam Nawaz highlighted several ongoing development initiatives currently underway in Punjab as part of the provincial government’s broader governance and urban transformation agenda. Among them is the Punjab Economic Registry Survey, which aims to collect comprehensive social and economic data to support more informed policymaking and resource allocation.
She also discussed the province’s “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” housing programme, describing it as a major initiative designed to improve access to housing and strengthen urban development planning. According to the chief minister, the project reflects the government’s effort to address housing challenges while promoting inclusive growth.
The chief minister further emphasised the importance of rural development alongside urban expansion. She noted that approximately 2,000 villages across Punjab are currently being equipped with improved infrastructure and modern facilities to enhance access to essential services and strengthen regional connectivity.
Maryam Nawaz added that Punjab’s infrastructure projects are increasingly being developed with climate resilience and sustainability considerations in mind. She stressed that future urban planning must account for environmental pressures and climate-related risks while supporting economic progress.
The speech comes as governments globally face increasing pressure to modernise rapidly expanding cities while balancing affordability, sustainability, population growth, and environmental concerns. Punjab’s development agenda, according to officials, aims to combine infrastructure expansion with broader social and economic planning to create more inclusive urban and rural communities.
