Punjab Cabinet Approves Rs1.995 Trillion Industrial Programme, 162,000 Jobs

LAHORE: The Punjab cabinet on Monday approved key features of a new industrial development and export promotion programme envisaging investments of Rs1.995 trillion and the creation of more than 162,000 jobs.

The programme was presented by the senior minister at the 37th meeting of the provincial cabinet chaired by the chief minister. It envisages Rs1.089 trillion from the provincial government and Rs906 billion from the private sector.

According to the briefing, the programme focuses on industrial infrastructure, cluster development, export competitiveness, value-chain transformation, mechanisation in agriculture and livestock, and public-private partnerships.

It also includes support for existing industries, e-business, e-commerce, garments, plug-and-play facilities, and testing and certification services for leather, footwear and sports goods. Material-testing laboratories for the cutlery, handmade tools, ceramics and fan industries, along with export financing for horticulture and floriculture, are also part of the initiative.

Agriculture processing parks will be established in Sargodha, Khanewal, Okara and Bhakkar. The programme also covers wheat value enhancement, meat and milk value chains, skills development, citrus, potato and mango value addition, tourism and aquaculture.

The cabinet approved the establishment of horticulture authorities in 20 districts, reaffirming the commitment to setting up a Parks and Horticulture Authority in every district.

Green Tractor Subsidies Approved

The cabinet approved subsidies for Phase V of the Chief Minister Punjab Green Tractor Programme, under which the provincial government will provide Rs9.5 billion for 10,000 high-powered tractors. More than 250,000 applications have been received for the programme, according to the briefing.

The government has distributed 44,000 tractors in the past two and a half years, compared with 10,000 over the preceding 20 years. Around 25,000 tractors have so far been delivered to farmers, the meeting was told. The cabinet also approved a waiver of late registration fees under the scheme.

Subsidies were also approved for an agricultural transformation project in Thal. The government will provide Rs7.6 billion for drip irrigation, solar power, water storage and other facilities across 10,000 acres in Mankera and Layyah. The cabinet also approved subsidies for Phase IV of the low-powered Green Tractor Programme, covering another 10,000 tractors.

Housing Loans and Health Measures

The cabinet approved the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar housing programme, under which the Bank of Punjab will extend 40,000 loans through an allocation of Rs60 billion. The chief minister rejected a proposal to impose stamp duty under the scheme.

The chief minister directed the immediate payment of outstanding dues required to make medical equipment functional in hospitals. The cabinet approved funds to clear essential liabilities of the Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department.

It also approved the donation of six Clinic on Wheels vehicles to Gilgit-Baltistan and 15 to Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Traffic Fines and Smog Control

Amendments to traffic fines under the Punjab Ring Road Authority were approved, with substantially higher penalties proposed for overspeeding, overloading, pedestrian-crossing violations and other offences.

The cabinet also approved amendments to an air-quality management project to provide electric trucks and anti-smog guns, along with funding for the expansion of public services and development schemes.

Other decisions included the approval of the establishment of a medical college and teaching hospital in Mianwali, recruitment of school teaching interns in government schools, and operational arrangements for 1,500 electric buses at tehsil level.

The cabinet also approved the hosting of the 14th South Asian Games.

Recruitment and Development Projects

The meeting approved relaxation of the recruitment ban for several departments and agencies, including the Suthra Punjab Authority, the Punjab Social Protection Authority, the Border Military Police and Baloch Levies in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, and the Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centre.

Recruitment against 79 posts at the intelligence centre was approved, along with hiring for vacant posts in other departments and the creation of 70 posts under a project management unit of the Youth Affairs and Sports Department.

The cabinet approved the establishment of new Special Branch offices in Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan, recruitment against 37 administrative posts at the Punjab Forensic Science Authority, and the creation of posts for child protection units across the province.

It also approved the formation of a provincial cabinet committee to consult on announcing a date for local government elections.

The cabinet approved the establishment of a university Pothohar campus in Gujar Khan, the conversion of a university scheme into a university and medical college, and the inclusion of various development projects in the annual development programme.

It also approved the construction of an additional 10.5-kilometre ring road in Bahawalpur, a flyover at Abdul Hakeem railway crossing, rehabilitation of roads in Lahore’s Badami Bagh, and funds for the revamping of Lahore Railway Station.

The meeting approved the declaration of Murree as a calamity-hit district to compensate those affected in Jheeka Gali. It also approved flood-protection works to safeguard agricultural land and settlements, as well as measures to prevent river erosion.

The cabinet endorsed the continuation of a social security ration card scheme and approved a supplementary grant of Rs81.6 million for purchasing assistive devices under a helpline. It also approved the establishment of a Punjab Senior Citizens Council, amendments to several laws and rules, and appointments to various public-sector institutions.

At the outset of the meeting, the cabinet offered prayers for security personnel who embraced martyrdom during operations against terrorists and for the late mother-in-law of the senior minister.

Breast Cancer Awareness Stressed

The chief minister stressed the importance of breast cancer awareness and early diagnosis, directing public hospitals across the province to take special measures to raise awareness about the disease.

In her message on World Breast Cancer Awareness Day, she said awareness, precautionary measures and timely medical examinations were essential to saving lives. She said breast cancer was treatable and early diagnosis could lead to better treatment outcomes.

She said the government was building a major cancer hospital in Lahore and would ensure treatment of all types of cancer at the institute. Reliable data on breast cancer patients would help further improve treatment facilities.

The hospital would provide treatment for breast cancer at all stages, as well as various other types of cancer. Modern machinery and medicines would be made available to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.

She said a state-of-the-art laboratory would also be established at the hospital to facilitate cancer research. A psychiatry department would provide psychological and emotional support to patients during treatment.

The chief minister said the Punjab government was providing free treatment worth up to Rs1 million to cancer patients. Lady Health Workers across Punjab were also playing an important role in collecting data to facilitate early diagnosis.

She urged women not to ignore unusual physical changes and to seek timely medical examinations. She reiterated her commitment to ensuring access to cancer diagnosis and treatment facilities for women across Punjab.

Tribute to Martyred Major

The chief minister paid tribute to Major Wajahat Waheed, who embraced martyrdom in a blast in Pasni, and expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

She also commended the security forces for eliminating four terrorists during successful operations in Kalat and Gwadar.