Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has inaugurated four development projects worth Rs5.61 billion in Sahiwal and laid the foundation stone for 10 model agriculture malls across the province.
The projects inaugurated on Friday include the Maryam Nawaz Sports Arena, the beautification and renovation of Model Saddar Bazaar, a Model Agriculture Mall, and a 27-kilometre dual carriageway linking Sahiwal with Arifwala.
The chief minister received a warm welcome on arrival, as crowds showered flower petals on her vehicle.
At the sports arena, she inspected the facilities, met players and signed autographs for children. She played cricket, kicked off a football game and posed for photographs with visitors.
The facility offers paddle courts, cricket and football arenas, a cafe and other amenities, with an online booking system for the public. Officials said separate timings have been set aside for women during the day and men in the evening.
At Model Saddar Bazaar, the chief minister inaugurated the beautification project. Officials said underground wiring for electricity and other utilities had been installed in the market for the first time.
At the Model Agriculture Mall, she inspected agricultural equipment, including harvesters, planters and drone-spraying machines, and spoke to farmers about the project.
Officials said the mall would provide certified seeds, fertilisers and pesticides under one roof, alongside modern machinery available for rent, training programmes, expert advice and testing facilities.
The 27-kilometre Sahiwal to Arifwala dual carriageway is expected to benefit residents across three districts, with officials describing it as a landmark road project for the area.
In a second phase, model agriculture malls will be established in Jhang, Faisalabad, Renala Khurd, Khanewal, Jampur, Burewala, Sadiqabad, Muridke, Pindi Gheb and Mianwali. Renala Khurd lies in Okara district, so the scheme will reach farmers in this division as well.
During the visit, the chief minister also distributed laptops and scholarship cheques to more than 6,000 students at the University of Sahiwal. Addressing the students, she said those receiving laptops and scholarships had earned them through hard work and merit, and that the provincial treasury was open for the education of hardworking children.
