Punjab gears up for future growth with master plans.

LAHORE -- The preparation of master plans for 11 districts in Punjab is currently in full swing. Land use classification maps of these districts have been sent to the deputy commissioners for approval and issuance of notification.

The Local Government and Community Development Department's Project Management Unit (PMU) will then prepare land-use plans that will forecast the districts' future growth for the next 20 years.

Initially, 14 districts were to have master plans prepared, but the government cancelled the notification of making Wazirabad, Taunsa, and Kot Addu tehsils new districts.

The master plan preparation project aims to mitigate land-use exploitation, diminishing agricultural lands, mushroom growth of housing schemes, and capacity issues of local governments. It also aims to achieve compact development through preparation of land-use and zoning plans, balanced spatial and economic growth, preservation of prime agricultural land through zoning regulations and policies, and enhanced inter-city and intra-city accessibility and mobility through proposals of transportation and connectivity plans.

The work related to the preparation of master plans is currently underway in the districts of Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sahiwal, Okara, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, Khanewal, and Vehari. Under phase-2, the master plans for Faisalabad, Sargodha, Multan, Jhelum, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Hafizabad, Attock, Chakwal, Bhakkar, Khushab, Minawali, Chiniot, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Narowal, Pakpattan, Lodhran, Layyah, Rajanpur, Bahawalnagar, Murree and Talagang will be prepared by the PMU.

According to Umme Laila Naqvi, PMU project...