Punjab cabinet okays mega projects, key reforms

LAHORE: The Punjab cabinet has approved three mega projects of the provincial government, including Apni Chhat Apna Ghar, the Green Tractor initiative and Children’s Heart Surgery Programme.

This decision was made during the 15th provincial cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif here on Wednesday.

Additionally, the provincial cabinet introduced stricter penalties and fines for illegal weapons possession and kite flying. The meeting also approved the MDCAT policy for medical and dental colleges in both the public and private sectors, as well as the establishment of the province’s first life insurance company.

For the first time in Pakistan, the cabinet approved a housing loan scheme based on plot ownership and a CNIC copy. Borrowers of up to Rs15 lakh will have to pay a monthly installment of Rs14,000 over nine years.

At the direction of the CM, the loan scheme has been converted into a revolving fund, ensuring no additional charges for the public. The cabinet also approved a uniform front design for the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar project.

The chief minister stressed simplifying the scrutiny process of social, economic and income sources for obtaining housing loans, stating that the Punjab government aims to facilitate the public. “We will build five lakh houses in five years,” she said. The CM also directed ministers to personally pay the first installment of the housing loan during visits.

Under the Green Tractor Programme, the cabinet approved the distribution of 9,500 tractors in Punjab, with a subsidy of Rs10 lakh for landowners possessing up to 50 acres. The scheme will be launched on September 20, with a balloting process scheduled for October 20. The CM said, “We aim to distribute 30,000 tractors to Punjab’s farmers.”

The Children’s Heart Surgery Programme was also approved, with the chief minister directing the immediate performance of 12,000 pending heart surgeries for children. International surgeons will be invited for paediatric heart surgeries. Maryam Nawaz also urged taking immediate action to address children’s mental health issues, instructing the health minister to closely monitor the programme.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the Public Schools Reorganisation Programme, which is expected to save Rs40 billion and create employment opportunities for 70,000 educated youth.

The programme will see 14,000 of Punjab’s 49,000 schools run through public-private partnerships, with 5,800 schools outsourced in the first phase. The CM further announced that the Punjab government will relaunch the laptop scheme in November, where students who excel on merit will receive laptops.

Additionally, for the first time in Pakistan’s history, the Punjab government will launch a scholarship programme worth Rs25 billion. The programme will enable students to study at institutions such as FAST, NUST, LUMS, COMSATS, and other renowned public and private universities. The registration process for the scholarship program will begin soon.