LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif Thursday presided over a meeting to review the progress on the roadmap for in education sector. The meeting decided to launch a meal programme for schoolchildren across the province. The meeting also accorded approval to provision of schoolbags to students. It also decided to start to start Khadim-e-Punjab School Sawari Programme in the province. Under the programme, students will be provided packets of energy biscuits and milk to help improve their health. Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that the pilot project of the programme would be started in Muzaffargarh and Layyah districts. He said schoolchildren would be provided free transport service under the Khadim-e-Punjab School Sawari Programme Terming the programme a game-changer in the education sector, the chief minister said that the pilot project of the programme would be started in six selected districts of the province. He sought a comprehensive plan for the launch of the programme. Moreover, Shahbaz said that the Punjab government was mulling over a plan to introduce technical education in public schools for grade 8 and 9 for which 39 schools had already been identified. He said that an innovative approach was needed to achieve 100 percent enrolment in schools in Cholistan area. “The target could be achieved by involving the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for education uplift in Cholistan. “Every step should be taken to educate children of Cholistan, while technical education institutes should also be set up to provide employment opportunities to the people of Cholistan,” he added. The chief minister directed authorities concerned to constitute a committee which would recommend different proposals for education uplift in Cholistan. The chief minister said that the Punjab government had taken result-oriented steps to promote education. He said that third party validation would be held to achieve the enrolment target. Referring to the Zewar Taleem Programme, the chief minister said that the programme was successfully going on in 16 selected districts where thousands of girls were benefiting from the programme. Present at the meeting, Schools Education Secretary Dr Allah Bakhsh Malik gave a detailed briefing about implementation of educational programs and future course of action. Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Syed Raza Ali Gillani, Punjab Education Foundation Chairman Qamarul Islam Raja, Punjab Education Endowment Fund (PEEF) vice chairman, experts and officials concerned attended the meeting. Bahawalpur Division commissioner attended the meeting via a video link. Separately, the chief minister Thursday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order. The meeting reviewed situation of law and order in the province and different steps adopted for the protection of life and property of the people on Jummatul Wida and Eid holidays Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister directed foolproof security arrangements across the province. He said that special arrangements should be made to maintain traffic flow in tourist places, especially Murree. Lawmakers, police high-ups and personnel of law enforcement agencies attended the meeting.