Punjab’s Rs1.995 trillion development programme aims to create more than 162,000 jobs while boosting exports, modernising agriculture and expanding housing and healthcare initiatives.
The Punjab government has approved a Rs1.995 trillion industrial development and export promotion programme aimed at creating more than 162,000 jobs, strengthening industrial infrastructure and modernising the province’s agricultural sector.
The programme was presented by Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Monday. It includes Rs1.089 trillion in provincial government investment and Rs906 billion from the private sector.
The initiative focuses on developing specialised industrial clusters, improving export competitiveness, modernising value chains and expanding public-private partnerships. It also seeks to support existing industries, promote agricultural and livestock mechanisation and facilitate the growth of e-business, e-commerce and garment manufacturing.
Under the programme, the government plans to expand ready-to-use industrial facilities and strengthen testing and certification services for leather, footwear and sports goods. Material-testing laboratories will also be established for the cutlery, handmade tools, ceramics and fan industries.
Export financing for horticulture and floriculture is another component of the initiative. Agricultural processing parks are planned for Sargodha, Khanewal, Okara and Bhakkar, while wheat processing, meat and dairy value chains, skills development, tourism and aquaculture have also been identified as priority areas.
The cabinet approved the establishment of horticulture authorities in 20 districts to support the sector’s development.
Green Tractor subsidies and agricultural investment
The cabinet approved subsidies for a new phase of the Chief Minister Punjab Green Tractor Programme, allocating Rs9.5 billion to support the purchase of 10,000 high-powered tractors. More than 250,000 applications have been received under the scheme, and approximately 25,000 tractors have already been delivered to farmers.
It also approved a waiver of late registration fees and subsidies for the fourth phase of the low-powered Green Tractor Programme.
For agricultural transformation in the Thal region, the government will allocate Rs7.6 billion for drip irrigation, solar energy, water storage and related facilities covering 10,000 acres in Mankera and Layyah.
Housing, healthcare and public transport
The cabinet approved Rs60 billion for the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar housing loan programme. Maryam Nawaz rejected a proposal to impose stamp duty under the scheme.
The chief minister directed the immediate release of funds required to make medical equipment operational in hospitals. The cabinet also approved funding to clear essential outstanding liabilities of the specialised healthcare and medical education department.
To improve healthcare access, six clinic-on-wheels vehicles will be donated to Gilgit-Baltistan and 15 to Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Other decisions included establishing the Maryam Nawaz Medical College and Teaching Hospital in Mianwali, recruiting teaching interns for government schools and finalising operational arrangements for 1,500 electric buses at the tehsil level.
Traffic enforcement and other cabinet decisions
The cabinet approved revisions to traffic fines under the Punjab Ring Road Authority, with increased penalties proposed for speeding, overloading, pedestrian-crossing violations and other offences.
It also approved amendments to an air-quality management project to provide electric trucks and anti-smog guns, alongside additional funding for public services and development schemes.
The cabinet further approved Punjab’s hosting of the 14th South Asian Games and relaxed recruitment restrictions for several government departments and agencies.
The programme brings together industrial investment, agricultural modernisation, housing, healthcare and transport initiatives. Its stated employment target is to create more than 162,000 jobs, while the proposed measures are intended to improve the province’s industrial capacity and export competitiveness.
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