LAHORE (Kashmir English): Punjab cabinet has approved the donation of 15 Clinic-on-Wheels for the people of Azad Kashmir.
A provincial cabinet meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif approved the donation of 15 Clinic-on-Wheels to AJK people besides giving approval to the PIVOT program for industrial development and export promotion, various phases of the Green Tractor Scheme, the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar program, and several other projects.
During the meeting, prayers were offered for the elevation of ranks of officers and soldiers who embraced martyrdom in operations against terrorists, while prayers for forgiveness were also offered for the deceased mother-in-law of Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.
Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb presented Punjab’s PIVOT program in the meeting, under which a total investment of Rs. 1,995 billion is expected in the province.
This includes Rs. 1,089 billion in public and Rs. 906 billion in private investment. The program is expected to create employment opportunities for over 162,000 individuals.
The program includes projects for industrial infrastructure development, industrial clusters, facilitation of existing industries, competitive exports, value chain transformation, use of modern machinery in agriculture and livestock, public-private partnerships, solar energy installation, and local skill development.
Under the PIVOT program, sectors such as e-bus, e-commerce, garments, plug-and-play industrial facilities, leather and footwear industry, testing and certification of sports goods, cutlery, hand tools, and ceramics will also be developed.
A proposal to establish a material testing laboratory for the fan industry is also part of the program.
Export financial assistance for sectors associated with horticulture and floriculture, value addition for potatoes and mangoes, agricultural processing parks, wheat value enhancement, meat and milk value chains, tourism, and aquaculture projects have also been included.
Agricultural processing parks will be established in Sargodha, Khanewal, Okara, and Bhakkar, while focus will also be placed on preparing a skilled workforce according to local and global requirements.
The cabinet approved the establishment of horticulture authorities in 20 districts of Punjab.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif reaffirmed the commitment to establish a Parks and Horticulture Authority in every district.
In the meeting, the subsidy for the high-power Phase 5 of the Chief Minister Punjab Green Tractor Program was approved.
It was informed that over 250,000 applications were received for the scheme, while approval was also given to waive the late fees imposed on registration.
The cabinet also approved the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar program, under which the Bank of Punjab will provide 40,000 loans through Rs. 60 billion.
In the meeting, amendments to traffic fines under the Punjab Ring Road Authority were also approved.
Approval was given for a manifold increase in fines for speeding, overloading, pedestrian crossing, and other violations.
Donation for Azad Kashmir
The cabinet approved the donation of 15 Clinic-on-Wheels to the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and 6 additional vehicles to Gilgit-Baltistan.
It may be recalled that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had announced the provision of 15 Clinic-on-Wheels during her visit to Azad Kashmir before the recently-held AJK elections.
The meeting also approved the relaxation of the ban on recruitment for positions in the Suthra Punjab Authority and Agency, recruitment for 17 vacant positions in the Punjab Social Protection Authority, and the establishment of a special recruitment committee for the Global Investment Gateway of Punjab wing.
