Latest news with #GovernmentofPunjab
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Business
- 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
6 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
50,000 loans given under Punjab's 'Apni Chat Apna Ghar' project
Listen to article Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said that under the 'Apni Chat Apna Ghar' housing scheme, 50,000 citizens have been provided with interest-free loans in just six months. The scheme aims to provide affordable housing to citizens across the province. Addressing the ceremony at the Expo Centre in Lahore, Maryam highlighted the successful disbursement of loans to low-income families, Radio Pakistan reported on Wednesday. "The promise of 'Apni Chat Apna Ghar' has been fulfilled, and 50,000 citizens have now received the financial support they need to build their homes," she said. "اپنی چھت اپنا گھر" پاکستان کی تاریخ کا کامیاب ترین ہاؤسنگ پراجیکٹ... وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز شریف نے 6 ماہ میں اپنی چھت اپنا گھر کا وعدہ پورا کر دیا! — Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) August 6, 2025 The event saw thousands of families who have benefited from the scheme, including many women and children. CM Maryam personally met with families who have already started constructing their homes under the project, offering her congratulations and encouragement. "Many of these families, including a rickshaw driver and a woman who spoke of her dream home, have expressed heartfelt gratitude," said the CM. One recipient from Rawalpindi emotionally recounted how his dream of owning a house was finally realised, thanking both Nawaz Sharif and Maryam for making it possible. The scheme provides loans for homes ranging from five to ten marlas, with more than Rs74 billion in interest-free loans already disbursed. The first phase of the project has seen a 99% loan recovery rate. آج جب میں نے اپنی چھت اپنا گھر سے مستفید ہونے والوں سے پوچھا کہ حاضرین میں سے کون کون اپنے گھر کی تعمیر مکمل کر چکا ہے تو ہال میں موجود تمام تین ہزار افراد نے ہاتھ کھڑے کر دیے۔ میرے لیے اس سے زیادہ باعثِ تسکین شاید ہی کوئی لمحہ ہو ! — Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 6, 2025 In the briefing, it was shared that more than 37,000 families have already received both installments of their loans, and over 52,000 homes are currently under construction. By the end of the month, 75,000 loans will have been disbursed, with an affordable monthly instalment of just Rs15,000, which has made the repayment process more manageable for beneficiaries. CM Maryam further stated that around 45,000 houses are currently being built under the scheme, and 9,000 homes have already been completed. "This initiative is about providing people with the means to build a better future for themselves and their families," she concluded.
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Express Tribune
05-08-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Punjab govt grants lifetime pensions to widows
Listen to article 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۔۔۔ — 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.
Business Recorder
04-08-2025
- Automotive
- Business Recorder
Electricity Pakistan & EVS World Exhibition Concludes
LAHORE: The three-day Electricity Pakistan and EVS World exhibitions concluded on Sunday at Expo Centre Lahore. Organized by FAKT Exhibitions, the event brought together over 100 national and international companies, proving to be a vibrant hub of innovation, discussion, and discovery. Visitors engaged directly with next-generation electric vehicles, interactive energy solutions, and breakthrough technologies that promise to redefine Pakistan. Held from August 1 to 3, the exhibition served as a dynamic platform for collaboration among industry leaders, government officials, and global technology providers, all focused on advancing Pakistan's energy transition and electric vehicle ecosystem. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Punjab Minister for Transport, Bilal Akbar Khan, commended the event's role in driving sustainable transport solutions: 'EVS World has underscored the critical importance of adopting cleaner and more efficient transport technologies. The Government of Punjab remains fully committed to accelerating the electric vehicle shift through strong public-private partnerships, robust policy frameworks, and infrastructure development. Events like these help turn that vision into reality.' Saleem Khan Tanoli, CEO of FAKT Exhibitions, stated: 'The successful conclusion of Electricity Pakistan and EVS World marks a promising step toward a cleaner and more energy-efficient future for the country. With strong participation from industry leaders and a growing public interest in sustainable solutions, the event has laid a solid foundation for continued progress in Pakistan's energy and electric mobility landscape. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
The Hindu
24-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
A.P. Governor advocates cultivation of oilseeds, pulses to check malnutrition in country
Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer has appealed to farmers to focus more on cultivating pulses and oilseeds, thereby reducing their imports and contributing to the nutritional security of the country. Participating in the 57th Convocation of Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), at Atkur village in Krishna district on Thursday (July 24, 2025), the Governor pointed out that Andhra Pradesh was a leading performer with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.8% in agriculture and allied sectors during the 2024-25 fiscal year. India has achieved a record food grain production of 353.95 million tonnes in 2024, and the country's agricultural commodities are reaching several countries across the globe, he said. He stressed the need for maintaining nutritional security and food safety, while increasing the production of food grains. Former Special Chief Secretary to Government of Punjab, A. Venu Prasad, who was the chief guest for the programme and an alumnus of ANGRAU, Bapatla, said the institute helped him achieving to greater heights in career. 'ANGRAU, located at Lam in Guntur district, is competing with top institutes in the country. Students should select the courses of their choice and excel in the field,' Mr. Venu Prasad said. Later, the Governor and the chief guest awarded degrees and awards to the meritorious students and the staff. ANGRAU Vice-Chancellor R. Sarada Jayalakshmi Devi said that established in 1964, the university had so far awarded degrees to 48,352 students, including 36,664 undergraduates, 11,688 post graduates and researchers. 'The university has released 25 new varieties of crops during 2023-24 fiscal year, of which nine were at the State level and 16 at the national level,' Ms. Jayalakshmi Devi said. Kaikalur MLA Kamineni Srinivas, Krishna district in-charge Collector Geetanjali Sharma, ANGRAU Registrar G. Ramachandra Rao were among the dignitaries who participated in the programme.
