Punjab secures Rs60bn bids for 94 PDP schemes as govt pushes transparent procurement drive

The Punjab government on Wednesday opened tenders for 94 development packages under the Chief Minister’s Punjab Development Programme (PDP), receiving bids worth Rs60 billion, officials said.

The process was overseen by Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique, who reviewed submissions alongside senior officials, including Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian and Project Director Ahmer Kaifi, during a ceremony attended by contractors and media representatives.

Officials said the bidding was conducted under an electronic procurement framework introduced by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, aimed at ensuring transparency and equal participation. The minister said no complaints were received from bidders and all participants were provided a level playing field.

Under the PDP, the government plans a broad-based urban infrastructure upgrade, including a sanitation intervention covering 52 cities across the province. The programme also предусматри the construction of 358 underground tanks for rainwater storage to improve drainage and mitigate urban flooding.

Authorities said the initiative marks a renewed focus on structured urban planning, noting that comprehensive master planning had not been undertaken in many areas for over 25 years. Lined piping systems with an estimated lifespan of up to 100 years will be used in the projects to enhance durability.

Separately, the minister said preparations for local government elections are underway under the Election Commission of Pakistan, with delimitation in progress and polls to be held according to the commission’s schedule.

Contractors present at the opening expressed satisfaction with the transparency of the process, officials said, describing the bidding exercise as open and competitive.