Punjab Cabinet approves new energy vehicle policy, farmer relief measures

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday chaired a provincial cabinet meeting in Lahore where a wide range of development projects, welfare initiatives, administrative reforms and legislative amendments were approved.

The cabinet paid tribute to the country’s military leadership, including the field marshal, air chief and naval chief, on the anniversary of the “Marka-e-Haq.” The participants also commended Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for the successful operation in Kutch.

One of the major decisions taken during the meeting was the approval of summer vacations in schools across Punjab from May 22 to August 24 amid rising temperatures and ongoing heatwave conditions.

The cabinet also approved the “Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar” scheme aimed at supporting citizens in Lahore, Cholistan and Kutch through agricultural and employment opportunities. Officials informed the meeting that around 30,000 plots had been identified under the programme and nearly 200,000 families had submitted applications so far. Maryam Nawaz directed authorities to implement strict digital monitoring to ensure transparency and efficient execution of the scheme.

Several economic and industrial initiatives also received approval, including the expansion of Quaid-e-Azam Business Park in Sheikhupura by an additional 200 acres and the approval of Garment City and industrial zone lease rules. Amendments to Lahore Development Authority land use rules for special economic zones were also approved to facilitate industrial growth.

Addressing the meeting, Maryam Nawaz said the Punjab government would fully support investors and industrialists willing to establish industries in the province. She instructed departments to simplify the approval process and warned that delays in issuing NOCs and other permissions would not be tolerated.

The chief minister also stressed financial discipline, saying government departments must seek prior approval for expenditures instead of spending funds first and submitting bills later. She warned against burdening the government with unnecessary liabilities.

The cabinet further approved the implementation of an axle load management system, establishment of a modern provincial traffic management and command centre, and the launch of a new energy vehicle policy for Punjab.

In the agriculture sector, the cabinet approved subsidy and transformation projects in Potohar, flood prevention and river erosion control measures, inclusion of Rud Kohi projects in Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan in the Annual Development Programme (ADP), and additional funding for commodity trading systems to support farmers.

The meeting also approved the establishment of the Aquaculture Authority of Punjab, transfer of forest land for shrimp estates and changes to the location and name of the province’s first shrimp estate.

Education and health-related decisions included approval of the Punjab Autism School and Resource Center Amendment Act 2026, conversion of UET Narowal sub-campus into a full university, fiber connectivity projects, the Chief Minister Stroke Initiative Project and additional appointments of teaching staff through a special selection committee.

The cabinet additionally approved reforms and amendments related to anti-terrorism laws, anti-social behaviour legislation, counter violent extremism measures and criminal prosecution services. Reorganisation and capacity building of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) also received approval.

Infrastructure and development schemes across various districts, including road rehabilitation projects in Lahore, Sahiwal, Mianwali and Faisalabad, additional funding for Sheikhupura projects and the Lala Musa-Moiwana road project, were also cleared during the meeting.

Other key decisions included abolishing transfer fees for motorcycles up to 150cc, increasing beneficiaries under the Chief Minister Minority Card programme, rationalising rural stamp duties and appointing the Bank of Punjab as the financial agent for the Clean Air Programme.

The cabinet also approved appointments to several judicial, academic and administrative positions, including vice chancellors for Hitech University and Lahore Garrison University, as well as presiding officers for labour courts in Lahore and Rawalpindi.