LAHORE: The Punjab cabinet has approved the launch of the “Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar” (AKAR) scheme for residents of Cholistan and riverine areas under easy terms and conditions.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz chaired the 34th meeting of the provincial cabinet here on Monday, where a wide range of policy decisions, development projects and public welfare initiatives were approved. The meeting was briefed that 30,000 plots had been identified for this programme, while nearly 200,000 families had already submitted applications for the initiative.

The chief minister directed strict digital monitoring of the scheme and said complete information should be accessible to citizens at one click.

Approval was granted for the expansion of the Quaid-i-Azam Business Park (QABP) in Sheikhupura by an additional 200 acres, implementation of the axle load management system across Punjab, and lifting the ban on fresh recruitment in the Punjab Mass Transit Authority.

The cabinet also approved the restructuring and capacity enhancement of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the establishment of the Punjab General Insurance Company, and upgrade of the UET sub-campus at Narowal into the University of Engineering and Technology Narowal.

It approved the establishment of a Provincial Traffic Management and Command Centre, and launch of the Chief Minister Stroke Management Programme.

Approval was also granted for placing Data Darbar Hospital under the control of the Auqaf department, establishment of the Aquaculture Authority of Punjab, and transfer of forest land for shrimp estates.

Additional funds were approved for the construction of the road from Lala Musa to Maiwana, while the chief minister directed authorities to expedite completion of the project.

The cabinet approved donations for the Prime Minister’s Austerity Fund 2026 and abolished transfer fees for motorcycles up to 150cc in a move aimed at providing relief against rising fuel prices.

Approval was also granted for the establishment of additional sessions courts in Hazro tehsil of Attock district and Kot Chhutta tehsil of Dera Ghazi Khan district.

The cabinet increased the number of beneficiaries and additional funds for the Chief Minister Minority Card programme, besides approving Punjab’s New Energy Vehicle (NEV) Policy.

Development schemes worth Rs500 million in Sheikhupura district were included in the Annual Development Programme (ADP), while the Bank of Punjab (BoP) was designated as financial agent for the “Clean Air Programme”.

The cabinet also approved a targeted fuel subsidy for motorcycle riders and Kisan Card holders. Among other decisions the cabinet approved Punjab Control of Ghunda and Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2025; amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997; establishment of the Provincial Traffic Management and Command Centre; recruitment of teaching staff on contract through a special selection committee; lifting recruitment bans in several departments and institutions; urban bus operations under a rental model to facilitate free public transport andannual grants for maintenance of 5,182 water filtration plants.

It also gave nod to the Punjab Film City Authority Ordinance 2026, waste-to-energy projects on leased government land; expansion of service roads from Gulshan Ravi to Babu Sabu, engagement of the Lahore Qalandars franchise for anti-smog awareness campaigns, pilot projects for groundwater recharge through borehole systems on agricultural land, merger of the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) into the Punjab Forensic Science Authority and measures to establish of friendly relations between Punjab and Zhejiang province of China.

Appointments of vice chancellors, judges, chief executives and senior officials in various institutions and departments were also approved by the cabinet.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2026