LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif reiterated her unflinching resolve to improving living standards of industrial workers across Punjab. She emphasised that the Punjab government will continue to prioritise their welfare and dignity in the province. While conducting a balloting ceremony for the allotment of 720 newly-constructed apartments for homeless industrial workers in the Sundar Industrial Estate, she described the initiative as a reflection of a “motherly state,” adding that 720 hardworking families have now been settled in homes of their own, freeing them from the hardship of monthly rent and the fear of eviction. The CM formally inaugurated the balloting process by pressing a button and personally telephoned several successful applicants to congratulate them. As directed by the chief minister Punjab, widows and persons with disabilities will be allotted apartments without participating in the balloting process. The CM directed that special persons should be provided apartments on the ground floor to ensure ease of access and safety. She directed that successful allottees must be handed over possession of their apartments within seven days. She further directed that an additional 1872 apartments for industrial workers should be completed within next 18 months. She directed that a bachelor hostel for 700 workers at the Quaid-e- Azam Business Park in Sheikhupura should be completed within three months Provincial Minister for Labour, Mian Manshaullah Butt, briefed the chief minister Punjab on the project, adding that the provision of free apartments, plots, and bachelor hostels for industrial workers is part of the vision of Quaid PML-N Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. Authorities concerned briefed the chief minister Punjab that the Sundar Industrial Estate apartment project has been completed at a total cost of Rs 3.40 billion, with the cost of each apartment exceeding Rs 3.6 million. During the ceremony, Maryam Nawaz Sharif personally called an industrial worker, Nadeem Tahir, to congratulate him, advising him to keep his parents with him so as to properly look after them and attributing his success to their prayers. Officials apprised the chief minister in the briefing that 5897 workers were declared eligible for the Worker Welfare Complex at Sundar Industrial Estate Phase-I. They added that out of allotted apartments, 480 have been reserved for industrial workers from Kasur, while 240 have been allocated to workers from Lahore. They briefed the CM that 672 apartments will be constructed in Sundar Phase-II, 656 in Multan and 544 in Warburton, Nankana Sahib. Authorities further briefed her that Jhang and Kamalia, labour colonies will be developed where 2,000 industrial workers will be provided free residential plots measuring three marlas each. They added that following completion of infrastructure development, 1,300 industrial workers in Jhang and 700 in Kamalia will be provided free residential plots. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025