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 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.
Recruitment rules relaxed
The cabinet granted approval for recruitment and relaxation of restrictions across various departments
Development initiatives
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.
Establishment of anti-narcotics court
The cabinet approved establishment of special courts under the Punjab Control of Narcotics Substances Act, 2025.
E-bikes for athletes
The provincial cabinet approved e-bikes for athletes of Khelta Punjab along with establishment of the fourth Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore.
Women’s Hostel Authority
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.
Amendments to Punjab Criminal Prosecution Services Act
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.
Aquaculture task force
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.
Appointment of head teachers
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.
Grant for PERA employees
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.
Rules for healthcare services
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 Programme.