Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz convened a provincial cabinet session in Lahore on Monday, where a comprehensive set of development projects, welfare programs, administrative reforms, and legislative changes were sanctioned.
The cabinet honored the nation’s military leadership, including the field marshal, air chief, and naval chief, commemorating the anniversary of the “Marka-e-Haq.” Members also praised Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for the successful operation in Kutch.
A significant resolution passed was the declaration of summer vacations in Punjab’s schools from May 22 to August 24, responding to escalating temperatures and the ongoing heatwave.
Additionally, the cabinet approved the “Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar” initiative, designed to enhance agricultural and employment opportunities for residents of Lahore, Cholistan, and Kutch. Officials revealed that approximately 30,000 plots have been identified under this program, with nearly 200,000 families having applied so far. Maryam Nawaz emphasized the importance of rigorous digital oversight to guarantee transparency and effective implementation.
Economic and industrial development also featured prominently, with the expansion of the Quaid-e-Azam Business Park in Sheikhupura by 200 acres receiving approval. The cabinet also sanctioned lease regulations for the Garment City and industrial zones, along with amendments to Lahore Development Authority land use policies to promote special economic zones and stimulate industrial growth.
Maryam Nawaz assured full government support for investors and industrialists aiming to establish enterprises in Punjab. She instructed relevant departments to streamline approval procedures and issued a strict warning against delays in issuing necessary NOCs and permits.
The chief minister further underscored the need for financial discipline, mandating prior authorization for departmental expenditures to avoid unnecessary liabilities for the government.
The cabinet also approved the introduction of an axle load management system, the creation of a modern provincial traffic management and command center, and the launch of Punjab’s new energy vehicle policy.
In the agricultural sector, subsidies and transformation projects for the Potohar region were approved, alongside flood prevention and river erosion control measures. The inclusion of Rud Kohi projects in Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan within the Annual Development Programme (ADP) was confirmed, along with additional funding for commodity trading systems to aid farmers.
Furthermore, the cabinet sanctioned the establishment of the Aquaculture Authority of Punjab, the transfer of forest land for shrimp farming estates, and modifications to the location and name of the province’s inaugural shrimp estate.
Education and health decisions included the approval of the Punjab Autism School and Resource Center Amendment Act 2026, the elevation of UET Narowal sub-campus to a full university, fiber connectivity initiatives, the Chief Minister Stroke Initiative Project, and the appointment of additional teaching staff via a special selection committee.
Security and legal reforms were also addressed, with approvals for amendments related to anti-terrorism laws, anti-social behavior legislation, countering violent extremism, and improvements in criminal prosecution services. The reorganization and capacity building of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) were also endorsed.
Infrastructure projects across multiple districts, including road rehabilitation in Lahore, Sahiwal, Mianwali, and Faisalabad, received funding approval. Additional financial support was allocated for projects in Sheikhupura and the Lala Musa-Moiwana road development.
Other notable decisions included the abolition of transfer fees for motorcycles up to 150cc, expansion of the Chief Minister Minority Card program’s beneficiary base, rationalization of rural stamp duties, and the appointment of the Bank of Punjab as the financial agent for the Clean Air Programme.
The cabinet also approved appointments to various judicial, academic, and administrative positions, including vice chancellors for Hitech University and Lahore Garrison University, along with presiding officers for labor courts in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
