Industrialists assured of full facilitation

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed officials not to create obstacles or delays in issuing no-objection certificates and other approvals for industrial ventures, saying the provincial government would fully support investors seeking to set up industries in Punjab.

Speaking at a provincial cabinet meeting, the chief minister said, Whoever wants to establish an industry in Punjab should do so. We will provide full support. She added that industrialists should present their construction plans and said the process for establishing industries would be simplified.

Maryam also cautioned government departments against incurring expenses without prior approval. She said, Spending first and sending bills later is unacceptable under any circumstances. "I will not tolerate the mentality of burdening the government with liabilities," she added.

During the meeting, the cabinet paid tribute on the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq to PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and the chiefs of the air force and navy. The cabinet also praised the chief minister for what it described as a successful operation in the riverine Katcha areas.

The chief minister commended the finance minister and finance secretary for the rapid establishment of the Punjab General Insurance Company, which received formal approval from the cabinet during the session.

The cabinet approved the launch of the Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar scheme for people living in Cholistan and riverine regions on easy terms and conditions. The meeting was informed that 30,000 plots had been identified for the initiative, while nearly 200,000 families had applied.

Maryam ordered strict digital monitoring of the scheme and said citizens should be able to access complete information with one click.

The cabinet also approved the schedule for summer vacations in schools. It gave the go-ahead for a 200-acre expansion of the Quaid-i-Azam Business Park in Sheikhupura, implementation of an axle load management system across Punjab, and removal of the ban on recruitment in the Punjab Mass Transit Authority.

Approval was also granted for restructuring and strengthening the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, establishing the Punjab General Insurance Company, and upgrading the UET sub-campus in Narowal into a university.

In addition, the cabinet approved the inclusion of hill torrent projects in Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan in the Annual Development Programme 2025-26, the establishment of a Provincial Traffic Management and Command Centre, and the launch of the Chief Minister Stroke Management Programme.

The meeting also cleared a proposal to place Data Darbar Hospital under the Auqaf Department, establish the Aquaculture Authority of Punjab, and transfer forest land for shrimp estates.

Additional funds were approved for construction of the road from Lala Musa to Maiwana, and the chief minister directed the authorities concerned to speed up work on the project.

The cabinet further approved donations for the Prime Minister's Austerity Fund 2026 and abolished transfer fees for motorcycles up to 150cc, a step presented as relief in view of rising fuel prices.