LAHORE: Punjab cabinet, which met here on Monday with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in the chair, took major decisions about transparency, education, technology, health, infrastructure, youth development, employment and public convenience. The CM directed that every department will be bound to complete inquiry proceedings against employees within three months. The meeting decided to build the second largest IT city of Punjab in Rawalpindi. It also set a target of making 2300 youth skilled professionals in a year. The CM directed to build zebra crossings on every road for the safety of pedestrians and further directed to fill potholes of every road in every city immediately. The cabinet decided to establish the first independent examination authority to make examinations system transparent and in line with latest standards. It set a target of exporting cattle by forming a livestock company. The CM made it clear that she cannot tolerate a single penny of corruption adding the government treasury is trust of the people and she cannot bear the burden of any corruption. She congratulated Agriculture Minister Ashiq Kirmani and the entire team for meeting wheat cultivation target within stipulated time and earlier than other provinces. The cabinet approved the policy of giving honorarium to Imams of Mosques and also approved recruitment against 24 posts in the Strategic Planning Unit under the Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Depart-ment. Approval was given for relaxation of restrictions on temporary recruitment in various medical institutions organized by the Specialized Healthcare & Medical Department. Approval was given for relaxation of restrictions on recruitment of vacant posts of Forester, Forest Guard and Driver in the Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries Department. The cabinet approved appointments of chairperson, secretaries and controllers of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education. Approval was given for ad hoc recruitment of healthcare professionals in various institutions. The provincial cabinet approved construction and expansion of 46-kilometer-long road up to Chichawatni, Kamalia, Pir Mahal, Shorkot Road. Approval was given for converting 100-bed Mother and Child Hospital Murree into a general hospital. Approval was given for establishment of Maryam Nawaz Institute of Cardiology in Gujranwala. The cabinet also approved the Chief Minister Punjab Livestock E-Credit Scheme. Approval was given for including 66 development schemes of Kasur district in the ADP. Approval was given for including water testing laboratory and water surveillance project in the Institute of Public Health in the ADP. The cabinet also approved amendments to the ordinance banning kite flying. It approved establishment of special courts under the Punjab Control of Narcotics Substances Act, 2025. Amendments to the Punjab Drug Rules, 2007 were approved. The scope of the Defamation Tribunal established under the Punjab Defamation Tribunal Act, 2024 was approved. The provincial cabinet approved establishment of a research committee for the appointment of vice-chancellors in government universities. Additional charge of the post of CEO Punjab Saaf Pani Company was approved. A supplementary budget of Rs 484 million was approved for the Punjab Autism School and Resource Center. The cabinet approved inclusion of the development of Mass Transit Project in Faisalabad and Gujranwala in the PMU Scheme ADP. Inclusion of the Model Agriculture Mall Phase II project in the ADP was approved. Establishment of Horticulture Agencies in Rahim Yar Khan, Okara, Khushab, Khanewal, Nankana Sahab, Jhelum, Muzaffargarh, Sheikhupura and Jhang was approved. The cabinet gives nod to the Punjab Mineral Company to grant mining leases for plaster gold in the Indus River. It also approved establishment of WASAs at all divisional headquarters. The Punjab Film Development Authority Act 2025 was approved. The provincial cabinet approved e-bikes for athletes of Khelta Punjab along with establishment of the fourth Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore. Approval was granted to form a negotiation team to negotiate a loan from AFD for the construction of Babu Sabu Wastewater Treatment Plant. Approval was given to include more persons in the Chief Minister’s Minority Card and provision of additional funds. Notification of sugarcane cess rate for crushing season 2025-26 was approved. Establishment of a research committee was approved for the appointment of Vice Chancellors of the University of Veterinary and Animal Science, Lahore and Bahawalpur. The cabinet approved the request for funds for irrigation remodelling works before the next flood season. An MoU was approved with the World Bank on partnership-related matters. PHATA Affordable Housing Joint Rules 2025 were approved. Approval was given to link Punjab Health Facilities with NADRA and preparations for a pilot project. The cabinet approved to renew and issue Christian marriage licenses, issue Hindu marriage licenses and appoint a Hindu marriage registrar. Amendments to the laws/Act 1975 related to Waqf Property and Missing Persons were also approved. The implementation of the tripartite financing agreement of 15 million euros grant between the Economic Affairs Ministry, Energy Department Punjab and KFW Bank was approved. The provincial cabinet approved establishment of the Punjab Women’s Hostel Authority. Amendments were approved for the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline, and Accountability Act 2006. Approval was given for the Service Level Agreement between the Punjab Counter Narcotics Force and the Punjab Information Technology Board. The cabinet approved amendments to the Punjab Criminal Prosecution Services Act 2006 and the Code of Criminal Procedure 1893. The request for amendments/relaxation in the Forest Act to protect the mining sector and mineral bed industry was approved. Temporary transfer of Talur from the Third Schedule to the First Schedule under the Punjab Wildlife Act 1974 Amendment 2025 was approved. The establishment of Aquaculture Task Force Punjab was approved. Approval was given to the Punjab government’s NOC for the issuance of Overseas Employment Protector Licenses to TEVTA, PVTC, PSDF along with permission to file an appeal was approved. Establishment of Sugar Cane Control Board under the Punjab Sugar Cane Factories Act 1950 was approved. Approval was also given by the cabinet to approach Asian Development Bank for loan under Punjab Hill Torrent Management Project. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025