Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz launched the ‘Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar’ scheme to revive flood-prone Katcha areas in the Rajanpur district [1, 2].
The initiative seeks to integrate marginalized riverine regions into the formal economy by providing farmers with land and sustainable livelihoods. By combining agricultural support with infrastructure, the government aims to establish state authority and improve the quality of life in areas frequently devastated by flooding.
The program is supported by a development package totaling Rs23 billion [2]. This funding is designed to revive the Katcha lands for agricultural use and provide employment opportunities for local residents. According to the plan, the investment will focus on transforming the region's economic landscape to ensure that farmers have secure access to their own fields [2].
Beyond agriculture, the initiative includes the inauguration of an electric bus service to improve regional connectivity [1]. The chief minister said the government is prioritizing the delivery of essential services to the population. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to ensure that residents of Rajanpur have consistent access to healthcare, and education [1].
“Citizens deserve access to healthcare, education and transport as a right, not charity,” Nawaz said [1].
The government intends for these developments to foster long-term peace and happiness within the region. By addressing the lack of basic infrastructure, the administration believes it can cement the state's writ in these remote areas [2].
“This historic Rs23 billion development package will revive the Katcha areas and give every farmer his own field and livelihood,” Nawaz said [2].
“Citizens deserve access to healthcare, education and transport as a right, not charity.”
The 'Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar' scheme represents a strategic attempt by the Punjab government to stabilize a volatile region through economic empowerment. By linking land ownership and agricultural viability with basic public services like electric transport and healthcare, the state is attempting to reduce the socio-economic grievances that often lead to instability in flood-prone border districts.
