LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif presided over a special third consecutive day of accountability sessions aimed at ensuring transparency across provincial institutions, issued far-reaching directives spanning education, environment, forestry, wildlife, fisheries, tourism, archaeology, sports and labour departments.
During six-hour marathon meeting, every ministry, department and secretary was held answerable for performance, while major new initiatives were approved. She directed to carry out historic steps to give Punjabi language a central role in education, culture and everyday public life.
The meeting was informed that preparations for allotting 3-marla plots to 20,000 workers in Jhang and Kamalia have been completed. The authorities concerned briefed that special low-interest loans will be provided under ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ scheme. She directed to take immediate measures for rapid implementation of the said project.
The Chief Minister directed that extensive plantation campaigns be executed along railway tracks, roads and canal banks. Senior officials briefed that Punjab will also install an advanced fire-alert system capable of detecting forest fire risks 20 minutes in advance, alongside a special sensor-based mechanism to prevent illegal tree cutting. To nurture young talent, she further directed that championship events be held every month across the province.
Authorities briefed that Punjab’s first pilot shrimp-farming project succeeded, with large-scale shrimp consignments exported. Shrimp farming on 5,000 acres would begin by February 2026. Chief Minister Punjab sought a feasibility plan to expand it to 50,000 acers. Officials apprised that Punjab’s tourism has been fully digitalized with the development of “Magnificent Punjab” app, offering tourists complete and convenient access to information and travel guidance.
The Chief Minister directed to ensure preparation of comprehensive development packages for all major tourist sites. Authorities briefed that in order to promote healthy activities, school grounds across Punjab will be opened to the public in the evening. She also sought recommendations for setting laptop quotas for private universities and colleges and directed that draft of the College Management Council be presented soon. She was apprised that forty-four buses will be provided promptly to girls’ colleges across Punjab.
She expressed satisfaction over indigenously produced smog gun at UET and directed introduction of character-building classes in schools. She approved launching of “Education on Wheels” pilot project in Lahore. Authorities briefed that GIS-based complete forest mapping to begin for the first time. About 50,000 advanced global-level courses to be offered to students through Google Scholars. They apprised that permanent principals appointed at 90 percent of Punjab’s colleges, adding that recruitment procedure for chairmen, secretaries and controllers of education boards was given in-principle approval. They further briefed that under School Meal Programme, provision of milk packs has increased enrolment by 47 percent, adding that 1.1 million milk packs to be recycled into 150,000 school benches.
Officials apprised that 1,600 classrooms have been completed, with 22,000 more to be finished in the next three months. Officials briefed that under PSRP, 500 classrooms, 3,036 roofs and 4,377 toilets have been rehabilitated. It was further briefed that 23,000 furniture sets and 1,643 water tanks have been provided to schools. Authorities concerned apprised that university enrolment rates have risen sharply, reflecting a 72 percent increase in public trust. The meeting was briefed that under ‘Honhaar’ Scholarship Scheme, 140,000 students were awarded scholarships, 110,000 students were provided laptops.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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