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LAHORE, Dec 15 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif presided over the 31st Provincial Cabinet meeting, during which important decisions were taken on transparency, education, technology, health, infrastructure, youth development, employment, and public convenience.
The chief minister directed that every department complete employee inquiries within three months and emphasized zero tolerance for corruption, describing government funds as a public trust accountable to Allah Almighty. The cabinet approved the construction of the second-largest IT city in Rawalpindi and set a target to train 2,300 youth as skilled professionals within a year. It sanctioned the installation of modern traffic lights, construction of zebra crossings on all roads, and immediate repair of potholes in cities. The meeting also approved the establishment of the first independent examination authority to ensure transparency, and increased allowances for head teachers of government schools from Rs 500 to Rs 10,000. A livestock export company was approved, alongside a reward of Rs 100,000 for traffic wardens upholding traffic rules.
The cabinet granted approval for recruitment and relaxation of restrictions across various departments, including Skill Development, Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education, Forestry, and the Punjab Education, Curriculum, Training & Assessment Authority, as well as appointments of chairpersons and secretaries in educational boards. Development initiatives cleared included construction and expansion of a 46-kilometer road from Chichawatni to Shorkot, procurement of equipment for Holy Family Hospital Faisalabad, conversion of Murree’s 100-bed Mother and Child Hospital into a general hospital, establishment of Maryam Nawaz Institute of Cardiology in Gujranwala, launch of the Chief Minister Punjab Livestock E-Credit Scheme, and inclusion of 66 development schemes of Kasur district in the ADP. Water testing and surveillance projects at the Institute of Public Health were approved, along with amendments to the ordinance banning kite flying, payment of honoraria to members of boards of governors of Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology Sargodha, and conferment of honorary membership to board members of Jinnah Institute of Cardiology, Lahore.
The cabinet approved establishment of special courts under the Punjab Control of Narcotics Substances Act, 2025. Amendments to the Punjab Drug Rules, 2007 were approved. The scope of the Defamation Tribunal established under the Punjab Defamation Tribunal Act, 2024 was approved. The nomination of the Presiding Officer in Punjab Labour Court No. 3, Ferozewala was approved. The meeting approved affiliation of Government Girls Associate Degree College, Chelawala with the University of Rasool. The establishment of a Center of Excellence in Phool Nagar was approved. The nomination of officers of the Finance Department in public sector companies was approved. Funds were approved for the uplifting of Kamran Baradari, Lahore. The provincial cabinet approved establishment of a research committee for the appointment of vice-chancellors in government universities. Additional charge of the post of CEO Punjab Saaf Pani Company was approved. The government approved issuance of a notification for establishment of the University of White Rock Act 2025. Rs 742 million was approved for the expenses of mosques and madrassas. A supplementary budget of Rs 484 million was approved for the Punjab Autism School and Resource Center. Establishment of an endowment fund for the Punjab Autism School and Resource Center, Lahore was approved. The meeting approved inclusion of the Development of Mass Transit Project in Faisalabad and Gujranwala in the PMU Scheme ADP. Inclusion of the Model Agriculture Mall Phase II project in the ADP was approved. Establishment of Horticulture Agencies in Rahim Yar Khan, Okara, Khushab, Khanewal, Nankana Sahib, Jhelum, Muzaffargarh, Sheikhupura and Jhang was approved. The Punjab Mineral Companies were approved to grant mining leases for plaster gold in the Indus River.
The provincial cabinet approved establishment of WASAs at all divisional headquarters. The proposed changes in the Dhee Rani program were approved. The project of establishing SMU Unit in the School Education Department was approved to be included in the ADP. The Punjab Film Development Authority Act 2025 was approved. Permission was granted to post-graduate trainees in the Military Hospital. The meeting approved a change in the scheme for establishing a sports complex in a village near Faisalabad. Nomination of a non-official member of the governing body of the Punjab Clean Water Authority was approved. The nomination of a female expert in the selection board of Government Sadiq College Women’s University Bahawalpur was approved. Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research Act 2024 was approved.
The provincial cabinet approved e-bikes for athletes of Khelta Punjab along with establishment of the fourth Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore. Approval was granted to form a negotiation team to negotiate a loan from AFD for the construction of Babu Sabu Wastewater Treatment Plant. Approval was given to change transport mass transit schemes included in ADP. Approval was given to include more persons in the Chief Minister’s Minority Card and provision of additional funds. Approval was given to allotment of housing units in Sundar Industrial Estate Kasur and Worker Welfare Complex Taxila. Approval was given to appoint chairpersons of the Drug Court. The meeting approved provision of MRI and CT scan machines to the Punjab Institute of Mental Health Lahore.
The cabinet approved amendments in the Excise Duty on Minerals Act, 1971. Project allowance and market-based salaries were approved for PMU employees of ADP schemes. Notification of sugarcane cess rate for crushing season 2025-26 was approved. Establishment of a research committee was approved for the appointment of Vice Chancellors of the University of Veterinary and Animal Science, Lahore and Bahawalpur. Provincial cabinet approved the request for funds for irrigation remodeling works before the next flood season. An MoU was approved with the World Bank on partnership-related matters. PHATA Affordable Housing Joint Rules 2025 were approved. Approval was given to link Punjab Health Facilities with NADRA and preparations for a pilot project. The report of the committee established for the regulation of illegal housing societies and a review report on other issues were presented in the meeting. Approval was given to provide funds for urban regeneration and rehabilitation in various cities of Punjab.
The cabinet approved to renew and issue Christian marriage licenses, issue Hindu marriage licenses and appoint a Hindu marriage registrar. Amendments to the laws/Act 1975 related to Waqf Property and Missing Persons were approved. The articles and memorandum of the Punjab Industrial Estate and Management Company were approved. The provincial cabinet approved the Punjab High Security Zone, Establishment Act, 2025. The proposed amendments in the Punjab Police Traffic Warden Service Rules, 2017, Schedule One and development schemes were approved. Amendments in the Punjab Local Government Survey Rules (Conditions of Appointment and Service) Rules, 2018 were approved. Amendments in Section 19 (1) of the PHATA Rules, 2002 were approved. The draft policy of the Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Mal Department, Punjab was approved. Amendments in the Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 1997 were approved. The implementation of the tripartite financing agreement of 15 million euros grant between the Economic Affairs Ministry, Energy Department, Punjab and KFW Bank was approved. The meeting approved formation of a commission under the Punjab Charity Act, 2018. Approval was given for renewal of an agreement between the Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Department of the Regional Blood Center Management and Facilities in Bahawalpur and Multan and Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Amendments were given for Lease Rules 1934. Approval was given for the summary of the establishment of a Special Investigation Unit for the investigation of sexual crimes in CCD. Approval was given for the Punjab Demarcation, Classification and Naming of Local Areas Rule 2025.
The provincial cabinet approved establishment of the Punjab Women’s Hostel Authority. Amendments were approved for the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline, and Accountability Act 2006. Approval was given for the identification of the area of the CBD Attock site in the Side Development Zone of the Structure Plan of the Municipal Corporation District Attock. Approval was given for the Service Level Agreement between the Punjab Counter Narcotics Force and the Punjab Information Technology Board. Approval was given for the ratification of the proceedings of the 30th meeting of the provincial cabinet. The proceedings of the 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th meetings of the Cabinet Standing Committee on Constitutional Affairs and Privatization were ratified. The proceedings of the 40th, 41st and 42nd meetings of the Cabinet Standing Committee on Law & Order were also approved. The meeting approved a medical bill of Rs 22.36 million for the treatment of Farzana Kausar, a teacher at Government Girls Primary School, Shed Colony, Changa Manga. The annual monitoring report of NFC Award for the year 2010-11, 2011-12 was presented in the meeting. The audit report of the Punjab government for 2019-20 and 2022-23 was also presented.
The cabinet approved amendments to the Punjab Criminal Prosecution Services Act 2006 and the Code of Criminal Procedure 1893. The request for amendments/relaxation in the Forest Act to protect the mining sector and mineral bed industry was approved. Temporary transfer of Talur from the Third Schedule to the First Schedule under the Punjab Wildlife Act 1974 Amendment 2025 was approved. The establishment of Aquaculture Task Force Punjab was approved. Approval was given to the Punjab government’s NOC for the issuance of Overseas Employment Protector License to TEVTA, PVTC, PSDF along with permission to file an appeal was approved. The meeting approved the notification for the establishment of Maqbar University of Science and Technology, Gujrat. Approval was given to increase the authority of expenditure under the School Management Council Policy 2024. Approval was given to establish the Pothohar Water Board. Approval was given to issue petroleum rights and licenses to Punjab Holding Company Private Limited. Approval was given to establish a dispensary in the Punjab Provincial Assembly. Approval was given to grant honorarium for the board of members of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment & Research, Lahore.
The provincial cabinet approved the procedure for appointment of head teachers on merit in government schools and granting performance charge allowance. Approval was given to present the case of establishment of a strike enforcement station before the Punjab cabinet. Approval was given to grant PERA special allowance for PERA employees. Amendments to the Police Rules 1934 were approved for determining the reward amount. Establishment of Sugar Cane Control Board under Punjab Sugar Cane Factories Act 1950 was approved. Approval was given to approach Asian Development Bank for loan under Punjab Hill Torrent Management Project. The provincial cabinet approved the rules of Punjab Primary & Secondary Healthcare Services Act 2025. Appointment of new members and chairman of the Board of Directors of Quaid-e-Azam Thermal Power Limited was approved. Provision of additional funds for PSDP schemes of road sectors was approved. Special grant was approved for Cadet College Hassan Abdal. Grant-in-aid of Rs 400 million was approved for Cadet College Khanpur. Provision of armed security wheel, guard, for law and order duty was approved. Supplementary grant of Rs 5675 million was approved for upgradation of Forest Enforcement Mechanism. The meeting approved the provision of funds for PHA Lahore dues. A supplementary grant was approved to increase the annual grant of Artist ‘Khidmat’ Card. Approval was given to include the project of construction of Environment Complex Lahore in ADP and to provide additional grant. Approval was given to start 4 new development schemes worth 360 million for Lahore district in the Annual Development Program. Approval was given to start development schemes of Faisalabad in the Annual Development Program.