1732012115-0%2FUntitled-design-(14)1732012115-0-640x480.webp&w=3840&q=100)
Punjab govt grants lifetime pensions to widows
The Punjab government has raised the provincial minimum wage to Rs40,000 per month and ensured lifetime pensions for widows of government employees. The reforms were adopted during the 28th cabinet meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, where a comprehensive 130-point agenda was approved.
The cabinet approved the allocation of 1,220 flats for industrial workers in Sunder, Kasur and Taxila labour colonies to be distributed through balloting, while firmly rejecting suggestions to charge workers for housing. It also instructed officials to take immediate steps to construct an additional 3,000 flats free of cost for these workers.
وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز شریف کی زیر صدارت صوبائی کابینہ کا 28واں اجلاس۔۔۔ pic.twitter.com/1Jlq33znJ2 — Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) August 5, 2025
Education policy saw a major update with official assessments confirmed for Grade V and formal examinations for Grade VIII. Meanwhile, lifelong pensions were approved for widows of government employees, enhancing social protection.
A significant wage reform was also approved, with a uniform minimum monthly salary of Rs40,000 set for 102 categories of skilled, semi-skilled and other workers.
In recognition of flood rescue efforts, the CM announced Rs50,000 bonuses for the rescue worker while praising the agency's performance and underscored the government's commitment to supporting frontline workers.
Expanding on prison reform, the cabinet sanctioned formal industries within correctional facilities where inmates will receive wages, and directed the establishment of a third-party monitoring system for jail operations.
Also Read: Opposition slams govt for Kashmir-like treatment at home
To promote private investment, approval was granted for an online petrol pump licence portal requiring only six documents instead of sixteen, enabling investors to obtain NOCs digitally—a move described as a 'historical step' toward ease-of-doing-business.
Worker safety was also addressed through the adoption of the Punjab Occupational Safety and Health Rules 2024, marking a first in the province. Maryam ordered the creation of a specialised enforcement force to ensure compliance in high-risk sectors such as construction and sewer operations.
She emphasised that enacting laws alone is not sufficient—implementation and enforcement at every level are essential, as the lives of poor workers are invaluable.
Government officials further approved child labour restrictions via the Punjab Child Labour (Prohibition) Rules 2024, unified appointment procedures for key university administrators, AI‑based traffic systems set to roll out within 90 days, expansion of WASA services to 13 new cities, paid internships for hospital nurses, and various legislative measures covering recruitment, telecom leasing, sugarcane research and local government acts.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
7 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Australian HC calls on Punjab Assembly speaker
LAHORE: Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Neil Hawkins, called on Speaker Punjab Assembly, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, at the Speaker's Chamber. Ms George Nonnenmacher, Head of Domestic Political Affairs at the Australian High Commission, was also present during the meeting. The meeting included a detailed discussion on enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly in the fields of health, education, agriculture, culture, information technology, and tourism, as well as cooperation in exchange of parliamentary delegations. Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan stated that Pakistan holds its friendly ties with Australia in high regard, and that it is essential to further enhance parliamentary relations and economic cooperation between the two countries. He further said that there are ample investment opportunities for Australian investors in the fields of IT and tourism in Punjab, and the Government of Punjab will provide all possible support for investment promotion in these sectors. Welcoming Australia's cooperation in the sectors of education and health, the Speaker emphasized the need to further strengthen collaboration in these fields. He also briefed the Australian High Commissioner about the legislative process in the Punjab Assembly, recent amendments in the Rules of Procedure, and the effective role of the standing committees. He said that the committees have been made more functional and transparent to improve the overall performance of the Assembly, making the legislative process more purposeful and people-oriented. Australian High Commissioner Neil Hawkins stated that Australia considers Pakistan a trusted friend and an important economic partner. He mentioned that Australian investors are keen to invest in Pakistan, and every possible measure will be taken to enhance cooperation with the Government of Punjab in various sectors. He reaffirmed Australia's support for a stable, democratic, and prosperous Pakistan. Secretary General Chaudhry Amer Habib and Principal Secretary to the Speaker, Imad Hussain Bhalli, were also present during the meeting. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Govt restricts FBR arrest powers
Listen to article The government on Wednesday made it mandatory for tax officials to consult at least two representatives of the business community before initiating investigations that could lead to arrests in tax fraud cases, watering down any real chances of detaining accused individuals. In line with the understanding reached between the business community and the government, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued a Sales Tax General Order outlining a lengthy procedure before traders or any businesspersons involved in alleged sales tax frauds can be arrested. The order states that, after concluding an inquiry in tax fraud cases, the commissioner inland revenue of the FBR "shall not give approval to initiate investigation unless he has obtained approval from the member (inland revenue operations) of the board." However, the caveat is that the FBR commissioner cannot seek the member's approval until he convinces the business community that fraud has indeed occurred and that there are sufficient grounds to justify an arrest. "Before seeking approval of the member inland revenue operations, it is binding upon the commissioner to consult with two representatives of the business community from among such representatives as notified by the board." A cursory look at the general order indicates that it will now be next to impossible for the FBR to arrest anyone, given the cumbersome process outlined. The government had obtained arrest powers for the FBR through the budget, a move that had sparked nationwide criticism. The Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) had equated the FBR's arrest powers with those of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and initially refused to support them. However, PPP later reached a compromise after the government inserted several safeguards into the law to address the concerns of its key coalition partner in the National Assembly. The government had vowed to raise Rs389 billion through enforcement measures during the current fiscal year. The FBR had been granted powers to prohibit major purchases like cars and homes, penalise cash expenses over Rs200,000, and arrest tax defaulters. However, through three different notifications issued this week, the government has diluted these punitive powers, effectively taking FBR back to square one vis-à-vis traders. This continued leniency towards traders has put the salaried class at a disadvantage. Salaried individuals paid a record Rs555 billion in taxes, whereas there are no independently verified or credible figures for income tax paid by traders during the last fiscal year. According to the new general order, the FBR "shall not initiate an inquiry unless approval from the commissioner has been obtained." Even after completing an inquiry, the commissioner cannot proceed further unless he has satisfied the business community and has obtained the necessary approval from the member inland revenue operations. The order states that various trade bodies will nominate their representatives, from which the FBR will pick two representatives for each region. Each trade body listed must nominate two individuals who "should be compliant and reasonably significant taxpayers." The member inland revenue operations will nominate two persons for each region for consultation from among those nominated by the trade organisations, based on their income tax payments for the latest tax year, export contributions, and compliance history, according to the order. The member inland revenue operations may not select more than one person from any single nominating trade organisation within a region. The FBR has listed the Pakistan Business Council, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Sialkot and Gujranwala Chambers, All Pakistan Textile Mills Association, Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Based on geographical location, the FBR will notify a two-member trader representative committee for each separate region. This week, tax authorities informed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that the FBR suffered a setback due to compromises made with the business community, according to sources. After initially claiming to go after wealthy, under-taxed individuals by banning their major purchases and disallowing the treatment of large cash deposits as banking transactions, the government has now reversed course. The FBR has also amended its position on cash expenses, stating that "when a person, whether a national tax number holder or otherwise, deposits the cash against invoices in the bank account of the seller, the payment shall be treated as having taken place through banking channel and no disallowance of the expenditure will be made in this regard under this clause." The government has also decided not to immediately ban the purchase of cars, homes, plots, and investments in stocks by ineligible persons. Officials have acknowledged that this decision is a significant setback and effectively negates recent enforcement efforts, taking both the FBR and the government back to square one in their dealings with the trader community.
Express Tribune
10 hours ago
- Express Tribune
12 PTI protestersgranted bail by court
A local court on Tuesday granted bail to 12 workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) who were detained on charges of rioting, stone-pelting, and attacking police during a protest rally in the metropolis on August 5. The judicial magistrate for District East approved the bail pleas filed by defence lawyers and ordered the release of the accused against surety bonds of Rs5,000 each. Earlier, police had produced the accused before the court and sought their physical remand for further interrogation. According to the IO, the PTI workers had blocked the road during a rally led by senior party leaders, including Firdous Shamim Naqvi, Awab Alvi, and Raja Azhar, at Hassan Square. The IO claimed the protest turned violent when the accused pelted stones at law enforcers and attacked them with sticks, injuring a police officer identified as Aijaz. However, the court turned down police's request and granted bail to all 12 accused, who were identified as Nadir, Abdul Rafi, Sarfraz Jameel, Fida Rehman, Nabi Ahmad, Abdul Rashid, Muhammad Ibrahim, Younus Khan, Zar Wali, Muhammad Hanif, Sohail Ahmad Memon, and Adnan. Later, PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil visited the city court to meet the released workers.
