Punjab cabinet approves agri land scheme for Cholistan, Katcha

LAHORE: The Punjab cabinet on Monday approved the launch of the Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar scheme for residents of Cholistan and riverine areas on what officials described as easy terms and conditions.

The decision was taken at the 34th meeting of the provincial cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in Lahore, where a broad set of policy measures, development projects and welfare initiatives also received approval.

The cabinet was informed during the meeting that 30,000 plots had been identified for the programme, while nearly 200,000 families had already applied. The chief minister directed that the scheme be subject to strict digital monitoring and said complete information should be available to citizens at one click.

Other approvals by the cabinet

The cabinet also cleared the expansion of the Quaid-i-Azam Business Park in Sheikhupura by another 200 acres. It approved implementation of the axle load management system across Punjab and lifted the ban on fresh recruitment in the Punjab Mass Transit Authority.

Among other institutional decisions, the cabinet approved restructuring and capacity enhancement of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, establishment of the Punjab General Insurance Company, and the upgrade of the UET sub-campus at Narowal into the University of Engineering and Technology Narowal.

It also approved the establishment of a Provincial Traffic Management and Command Centre and the launch of the Chief Minister Stroke Management Programme. The meeting further cleared the transfer of Data Darbar Hospital to the control of the Auqaf department, establishment of the Aquaculture Authority of Punjab, and transfer of forest land for shrimp estates.

Additional funds were sanctioned for construction of the road from Lala Musa to Maiwana, and the chief minister directed the authorities to speed up completion of the project.

The cabinet approved donations for the Prime Minister’s Austerity Fund 2026 and abolished transfer fees for motorcycles up to 150cc as a relief measure in view of rising fuel prices. It also approved the establishment of additional sessions courts in Hazro tehsil of Attock district and Kot Chhutta tehsil of Dera Ghazi Khan district.

The number of beneficiaries under the Chief Minister Minority Card programme was increased and additional funds were approved. The cabinet also gave approval to Punjab’s New Energy Vehicle Policy.

Development and administrative measures

Development schemes worth Rs500 million in Sheikhupura district were included in the Annual Development Programme, while the Bank of Punjab was designated as the financial agent for the Clean Air Programme.

The cabinet also approved a targeted fuel subsidy for motorcycle riders and Kisan Card holders. Other decisions included approval of the Punjab Control of Ghunda and Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2025, amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, recruitment of teaching staff on contract through a special selection committee, and lifting recruitment bans in several departments and institutions.

It further approved urban bus operations under a rental model to support free public transport and annual grants for maintenance of 5,182 water filtration plants.

Additional measures endorsed by the cabinet included the Punjab Film City Authority Ordinance 2026, waste-to-energy projects on leased government land, expansion of service roads from Gulshan Ravi to Babu Sabu, and engagement of the Lahore Qalandars franchise for anti-smog awareness campaigns.

The meeting also approved pilot projects for groundwater recharge through borehole systems on agricultural land, merger of the Punjab Forensic Science Agency into the Punjab Forensic Science Authority, and steps aimed at establishing friendly relations between Punjab and Zhejiang province of China.

Appointments of vice chancellors, judges, chief executives and senior officials in various institutions and departments were also approved by the cabinet.