Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz chaired the 34th provincial cabinet meeting on Monday, where a series of major policy decisions, development initiatives, and public welfare measures were approved across multiple sectors.
Among the key decisions, the cabinet approved lifting the recruitment ban in the Punjab Mass Transit Authority to strengthen public transport operations in the province.
The cabinet also approved summer vacations in schools from May 22 to August 24, expansion of the Quaid-e-Azam Business Park in Sheikhupura by 200 acres, and implementation of an axle load management system across Punjab.
A major welfare initiative titled “Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar” was launched for residents of Cholistan and riverine areas on easy terms. Officials informed the meeting that 30,000 plots had been identified under the scheme, while nearly 200,000 families had already applied.
The meeting approved restructuring and capacity enhancement of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the upgradation of the UET Narowal sub-campus into a full-fledged engineering university, and the establishment of the Punjab General Insurance Company.
Additional approvals included the launch of the Chief Minister Stroke Management Program, establishment of the Provincial Traffic Management and Command Centre, creation of the Aquaculture Authority of Punjab, and transfer of forest land for shrimp farming estates.
Infrastructure-related approvals covered rehabilitation of roads in Sahiwal, Mianwali, and Faisalabad, expansion of service roads from Gulshan Ravi to Babu Sabu, and development schemes worth Rs. 500 million in Sheikhupura.
The cabinet also approved Punjab’s New Energy Vehicle (NEV) Policy, urban bus operations under a rental model for free public transport, and annual maintenance grants for over 5,000 water filtration plants across the province.
Relief measures announced during the meeting included abolition of transfer fees for motorcycles up to 150cc, targeted fuel subsidies for motorcycle riders and Kisan Card holders, and enhanced benefits under the Chief Minister Minority Card program.
Addressing the cabinet, Maryam Nawaz directed officials to ensure swift issuance of approvals and NOCs for industrial projects and warned against unnecessary delays in facilitating investors.
