Punjab cabinet approves PIEP features, expects Rs1,995 billion investment

LAHORE: The 37th meeting of the Punjab cabinet was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Prayers were offered at the meeting for the officers and soldiers martyred in action against terrorists. Prayers were also offered for the departed mother-in-law of Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb.

PIEP programme

The provincial cabinet approved the features of the industrial development and export programme scheme. Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb presented the programme. It includes industrial infrastructure and cluster development, competitive exports, value chain transformation, e-mechanisation in agriculture and livestock, and public-private partnerships.

The programme is expected to bring Rs1,995 billion of investment to Punjab, including Rs1,089 billion from the government and Rs906 billion from the private sector. It will create jobs for more than 162,000 people.

The briefing said the programme covers facilitation of existing industry, cluster infrastructure development, e-commerce, garments, plug and play, and testing and certification for leather and footwear and sports goods. A material testing laboratory has also been included for the cutlery, handmade tools, ceramics and fan industries. Export financing will be provided for horticulture and floriculture. Tourism and aqua farming will also be part of it.

Agriculture processing parks will be built in Sargodha, Khanewal, Okara and Bhakkar.

Other key decisions

The meeting approved the establishment of horticulture authorities in 20 districts. The Chief Minister reiterated her resolve to set up a Parks and Horticulture Authority in every district.

The Chief Minister ordered the immediate payment of dues needed to make medical equipment functional in hospitals. The cabinet approved funds for the necessary dues of specialised healthcare and medical education.

Amendments to traffic fines on the Punjab Ring Road Authority were approved. Fines for overspeeding, overloading, pedestrian crossing and other violations have been increased several times over.

Subsidy was approved for Phase 5 of the Chief Minister Green Tractor Programme (High Power). According to the briefing, more than 250,000 applications were received for the programme. The Punjab government will pay a subsidy of Rs9.5 billion on 10,000 tractors, and 25,000 tractors have already reached farmers. Waiver of the late fee on registration was also approved.

The Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar programme was approved. Under it, the Bank of Punjab will give 40,000 loans worth Rs60 billion. The Chief Minister rejected a proposal for stamp duty under this programme.

The cabinet also approved the donation of six Clinics on Wheels vehicles to Gilgit-Baltistan and 15 to Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting also approved several development projects, recruitments and legal amendments relating to Multan, Murree, Bahawalpur, Mianwali and other districts.

Chief Minister’s message on breast cancer awareness

On World Breast Cancer Awareness Day, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif stressed the importance of awareness and timely diagnosis. She said the world’s largest Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital was being built in Lahore, where various cancers, including breast cancer at every stage, would be treated.

According to her, the Punjab government is providing cancer patients free treatment of up to Rs1 million. She said lady health inspectors were playing an important role in data collection for the timely diagnosis of breast cancer.