The Punjab government has approved an industrial development and export promotion program worth Rs. 1.995 trillion, targeting more than 162,000 jobs across the province.
The plan was approved at a provincial cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Monday. Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb presented the initiative, which includes Rs. 1.089 trillion in government investment and Rs. 906 billion from the private sector.
The program aims to strengthen industrial infrastructure, develop industrial clusters, improve export competitiveness, modernize value chains, and promote agricultural and livestock mechanization through public-private partnerships.
The initiative also covers support for existing industries, e-business, e-commerce, garments, ready-to-use industrial facilities, and testing and certification services for leather, footwear, and sports goods.
It includes material-testing laboratories for the cutlery, handmade tools, ceramics, and fan industries, as well as export financing for horticulture and floriculture. Agriculture processing parks will be established in Sargodha, Khanewal, Okara, and Bhakkar.
Other areas of focus include wheat processing, meat and dairy value chains, skills development, value-added citrus, potatoes and mangoes, tourism, and aquaculture. The cabinet also approved the establishment of horticulture authorities in 20 districts.
Punjab Approves New Green Tractor Subsidies
The cabinet approved subsidies for a new phase of the Chief Minister Punjab Green Tractor Program, allocating Rs. 9.5 billion to provide 10,000 high-powered tractors.
The government has received more than 250,000 applications under the program, while approximately 25,000 tractors have been delivered to farmers so far. The cabinet also approved a waiver of late registration fees.
Subsidies were also approved for Phase IV of the low-powered Green Tractor Program and an agricultural transformation project in the Thal region.
Under the Thal project, the provincial government will spend Rs. 7.6 billion on drip irrigation, solar power, water storage, and related facilities across 10,000 acres in Mankera and Layyah.
Rs. 60 Billion Approved for Apni Chhat Apna Ghar
The provincial cabinet approved Rs. 60 billion for the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar housing loan program. Maryam Nawaz rejected a proposal to impose stamp duty under the scheme.
The chief minister also directed the immediate release of funds needed to make hospital medical equipment operational. The cabinet approved funding to clear essential liabilities of the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department.
It also approved the donation of six clinic-on-wheels vehicles to Gilgit-Baltistan and 15 to Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Other Decisions Taken by Punjab Cabinet
The cabinet approved revisions to traffic fines under the Punjab Ring Road Authority, including higher penalties for speeding, overloading, pedestrian-crossing violations, and other offences.
It also approved amendments to an air-quality management project involving electric trucks and anti-smog guns, alongside funding for expanded public services and development schemes.
Other approvals included the establishment of the Maryam Nawaz Medical College and Teaching Hospital in Mianwali, the recruitment of teaching interns in government schools, and operational arrangements for 1,500 electric buses at the tehsil level.
The cabinet also approved hosting the 14th South Asian Games and relaxing the recruitment ban for several government departments and agencies.
