Punjab govt approves Rs500m seed money: Youth Innovation, Incubation Competition winners to receive cash prizes
LAHORE: The Punjab government has established a fund for the Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism and allocated Rs 500 million as seed money.
The decision was taken in the fifth meeting of the Board of Governors of the Punjab Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism held at the Punjab Home Department under the chairmanship of Provincial Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, Khawaja Salman Rafique.
Meanwhile, the decisions taken at the fourth meeting of the Board of Governors were ratified, while the relevant authorities presented a report on implementation of those decisions. The report of the Punjab Youth Innovation and Incubation Competition 2026, organised by the Centre, was also presented at the meeting.
The participants were informed that 154 innovative and creative projects had been received from 51 universities across the province. A technical evaluation committee comprising experts conducted a transparent evaluation and shortlisted the 50 best projects.
The students were given an opportunity to present their projects before the committee. Students from the University of Management and Technology secured first position in the competition for their project aimed at reducing the cost of DNA testing and improving its quality. Students from Fatima Jinnah Medical University secured second position for their project aimed at reducing the cost of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
A student from Superior University secured third position for a project using artificial intelligence (AI) to control objectionable content on children’s mobile phones. The students securing the top three positions presented their projects before the Board of Governors, which highly appreciated their work. Students securing first, second and third positions will receive cash prizes of Rs. 1 million, Rs. 750,000 and Rs. 500,000, respectively.
The Board directed that awareness programmes be organised through the Department of Information and Culture to promote the message of peace among young people. It also directed the Higher Education Department to organise competitions in public speaking, theatre performances, essay writing and poster-making for youth.
On the occasion, Provincial Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order Khawaja Salman Rafique said that the Punjab government was striving to eliminate extremism and establish a peaceful society.
Under the leadership of the Chief Minister Punjab, he said, all concerned were working hard to implement the National Action Plan. He said that the Punjab Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism was actively undertaking practical measures for the welfare of society and to address the challenges of extremism.
He added that the Punjab Youth Innovation and Incubation Competition 2026 would play an important role in boosting young people’s confidence and encouraging new business ventures.
On the occasion, Secretary Home Punjab Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi said that youth and civil society had a key role in promoting peace, tolerance and forbearance in society. He informed the meeting that students who secured prominent positions in the competition would be affiliated with the Punjab Forensic Science Authority, the Health Department and the Punjab Information Technology Board so that their projects could benefit the society. The Secretary Home said that talented young people were the vanguard in building a bright, peaceful and prosperous Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Home Punjab Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi, Secretary Law Asif Bilal Lodhi, Secretary Auqaf Dr. Ehsan Bhutta, Special Secretary Home Zainab Khan, Chief Coordination Officer Ghulam Sagheer Shahid, Executive Director of the Punjab Institute of Mental Health Professor Ayesha Rashid, DIG Counter Terrorism Department, Additional Secretary Judicial Abdul Rauf, Additional Secretary Higher Education, Additional Secretary Information, Deputy Secretary Finance, consultants Syed Tahir Raza Bukhari and Sohail Raza, along with other relevant officers.
Professor Dr. Ali Madeeh Hashmi of the Department of Psychiatry at King Edward Medical University participated in the meeting via video link.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026