Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz chaired the 28th meeting of the provincial cabinet, where approval was granted for a 130-point agenda.
The cabinet approved the allocation of 1,220 flats for industrial workers in Labour Complexes located in Sundar, Kasur, and Taxila. The flats will be allotted through a balloting process.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz rejected the proposal to recover costs from workers for the flats and directed immediate steps to construct an additional 3,000 flats for industrial labourers.
The cabinet also approved a minimum salary of Rs40,000 for skilled, semi-skilled, and other workers across 102 categories.
Acknowledging the efforts of Rescue 1122 during recent flood emergencies, the chief minister announced a reward of Rs50,000 for each official who performed flood duty and praised their relief operations.
Major recruitment approvals across sectors
The cabinet also approved the recruitment of constables in the Right Management Police, along with job openings in Wall City Authority, Punjab Financial Advisory Services, Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department, and Punjab Energy Holding Company Limited.
Additionally, the extension of service contracts was sanctioned for employees in the Home Department, P&D Department, Literacy Department, and the Center for Combating Violence Against Women in Multan.
More than 590 project-based employees in the Literacy Department and 31 staffers in the SPU research unit also received approval for contract extensions. The Punjab Locum Recruitment Act 2025 was passed to streamline hiring on clinical and non-clinical posts.
Strengthening institutions and regulations
To enhance administrative efficiency, the cabinet gave the go-ahead for amendments in the Punjab Drug Rules, Sports Board Punjab, and the Punjab Charities Commission, where CM Maryam Nawaz ordered regular scrutiny of fake charities.
The Punjab Occupational Safety and Health Rules 2024 were also approved for the first time in the province’s history, aimed at ensuring workplace safety -- especially for sewer line and construction workers. The Labour Department has been tasked with forming an enforcement force for on-ground implementation.
Boost for investment and infrastructure
In a pro-business step, the cabinet approved online applications for setting up petrol pumps, reducing the required documentation from 16 to six. This digital move allows investors to obtain NOCs through a simplified online system.
The government also launched efforts to expand urban infrastructure, approving the establishment of WASA in five more divisions and 13 cities. Additionally, AI-based traffic management and Excel Road Management System will be implemented within 90 days to improve road safety and traffic flow.
Social welfare and education initiatives
The cabinet approved a lifelong pension scheme for widows of government employees, paid internships for nurses in public hospitals, and regular industry opportunities for prisoners in Punjab jails. Maryam Nawaz emphasized fair wages for labouring inmates and the need for third-party prison monitoring.
Also approved was the Punjab Restriction on Employment of Children Rules 2024 to combat child labor and the establishment of a uniform appointment procedure for treasurers, registrars, and examination controllers in universities.
Support for farmers and environmental conservation
The Kisan Card program has shown tremendous success, with 99% recovery in its first phase. Over Rs6.93 billion was disbursed to 90,000 farmers, with Rs47 billion utilized for agricultural inputs. New tractor manufacturing factories are also being established under Punjab's high-tech mechanization initiative.
Additionally, a regulatory framework was approved for the protection of local bird species, and an MoU with the Houbara International Foundation and Deer Foundation International was signed to support conservation.
Emergency response and audit oversight
The cabinet approved Rs2.6 billion in emergency funds for flood victims through PDMA and appreciated Rescue 1122 for its timely relief operations. CM Maryam Nawaz directed provincial departments to ensure regular audits and third-party monitoring for better transparency and accountability.
