LAHORE: In a step aimed at supporting working women, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced that 650 daycare centres will be established across the province by the next fiscal year, with 350 centres already fully functional and another 40 nearing completion in the province.

The project is being implemented by the women development department under a special initiative of the CM, with an allocation of Rs1 billion to set up daycare facilities in hospitals, educational institutions and government offices across Punjab.

Under the first phase, the government set a target of establishing 390 daycare centres.

According to officials, 350 centres are already operational, while work on the remaining 40 is in progress.

Each centre will be equipped with educational material, toys and LCD screens, while trained caregivers will be assigned to look after children. Initially, the salaries of caregivers will be paid by the department.

The initiative has also been extended to Daanish schools across Punjab to facilitate female teachers and staff. For setting up these centres, priority is being given to girls’ colleges and hospitals in south Punjab and remote districts.

An online monitoring system has also been introduced to oversee the functioning of the daycare centres.

In Lahore, a target of setting up 86 centres at the government offices, educational institutions and hospitals has been set, of which 70 are already functional. Such centres have also been established at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the bar councils.

Other districts showing significant progress in this regard include Faisalabad with 20 centres, Bhakkar 21, Sheikhupura 18, Layyah 17, Khanewal 15, Okara 14, Nankana Sahib 13, and 12 each at Sialkot and Vehari.

These are also functional at Bahawalpur (17), Multan (16), Gujranwala (12), and seven each at Sargodha and Rawalpindi.

The chief minister says that ensuring the welfare and protection of working women and providing them with the best possible facilities remains a key priority of her government.

She adds that daycare centres are being established throughout the province to make it easier for women to balance their professional and family responsibilities.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2026