Highlights

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22/04/24
CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif to Give 1 KV Solar Systems to 50,000 Households in Punjab

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif chaired a special meeting on “Light without Electricity Bill: Chief Minister’s Roshan Punjab Program” to have a detailed briefing on technical issues of 1 kilowatt solar system for the domestic consumers. She said,” Roshan Punjab Program aims to free the poor man from expensive electricity.”

Approving the grant of 1KV solar systems to 50,000 households in Punjab, Madam Chief Minister directed to start the pilot project immediately, in order to evaluate their efficiency. She said,” Protected consumers consuming up to 100 units of electricity will be eligible under the Program in the first phase.” She added,” In 1 KV system, two solar panels, battery, inverter, and wires will be provided to the consumer.”

Earlier, Madam Chief Minister was briefed that 1 KV solar system can run fans, lights, small motors etc. Up to 16 hours of charging backup can be achieved through the lithium iron battery. Madam Chief Minister directed to install the solar system of the latest technology. She emphasized on the need to use the best quality solar plates, inverter, batteries and other accessories. Madam Chief Minister said,” The scope of solar systems for domestic consumers will be extended gradually.”

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, MPA Sania Ashiq, Chief Secretary, Chairman P&D, Secretaries Energy, Finance, Chief Executive Officer PPDCL, Managing Director PPDB and other relevant officers attended the meeting.
19/04/24
Govt. Acts to Implement New Roti Price, 817 Arrested for Overcharging

On the directives of the Chief Minister Punjab, the authorities are ensuring implementation of the cut in the price of Roti across the province, and 817 people were arrested, 347 cases were registered and fines of more than Rs. 11.7 million were imposed for overcharging during the last five days.

The report regarding the actions was presented during the meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman, at the Civil Secretariat. The administrative secretaries of industries and food departments, Chairman PITB and officers concerned attended the meeting while all divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners participated through video link.

The Chief Secretary said that the reduction in the price of Roti is a great initiative of the Punjab government to provide relief to the people, adding that the availability at new rates would be ensured in any case. He mentioned that the new price of Roti was fixed, keeping in mind the cut in the price of flour and other expenses, adding that there is no justification for selling at a higher price. He directed that Price Control Magistrates must remain active in the field for monitoring the rates.

The secretary industries gave a detailed briefing at the meeting. He said that so far more than 22,000 ‘Tandoors’ have been inspected and 94 of them have been sealed. In 10 districts including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, the price of Roti has been fixed at Rs. 16, while its price has been fixed at Rs 15 in 26 districts. He maintained that the price of Roti in DG Khan and Rajanpur has been set at Rs. 13 while it has been fixed at Rs. 12 in Muzaffargarh and Kot Addu. He further stated that as per the instructions of the Chief Minister of Punjab, banners showing new price of Roti have been displayed at ‘Tandoors’ and in case of overcharging the citizens can lodge complaints on the Qeemat Punjab App or complaint cell No. 08000-2345.
18/04/24
CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif Visits Zero Line Kartarpur Sharif to Inaugurate ‘Besakhi’

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif visited Zero Line Kartarpur Sharif In Kheti Sahib to officially inaugurate ‘Besakhi’ by harvesting the golden crop of wheat with a golden sickle. She expressed happiness on the honor of harvesting in Baba Gurunanak’s field. 

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif visited Pak Darshan Deodhi. Sikh pilgrims welcomed Madam Chief Minister on reaching Pak Darshan. Sikh women warmly greeted Madam Chief Minister with folded hands. Sikh youths performed traditional gatka. Madam Chief Minister also visited Sarovar (Holy Pond), Samadhi (Prayer Hall), Guru Ghar and had darshan of Sangat.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif was briefed about the Facilitation Center. Indian Sikh Jatha leader appreciated Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's initiatives and arrangements. He thanked her for the love and care, and said,”We all are proud of daughter of Punjab becoming the Chief Minister.” President Delhi Goroband Committee Raminder Singh Bumrah draped Sarupa (shawl) on Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Diljit Singh Sarnan presented Kirpan and other gifts to Madam Chief Minister. Sarupa (Shawl) and gifts were also presented to Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.

At Samadhi, the granthi head started the ceremony with a prayer. Provincial Minister for Minorities Ramesh Singh Arora welcomed the Chief Minister. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif greeted the Sikh delegation

and inspected the holy well. She also visited the Sikh Art Gallery.

Madam Chief Minister sat and ate food with the pilgrims at the Sikh Langar Hall. She was entertained with boiled rice, curry pakoras, groundnut dal, sweet rice, roti and pickles. Madam Chief Minister appreciated the quality of food, and interacted with the pilgrims in the Langar Hall. She also invited Sikh pilgrims to visit Punjab.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Provincial Ministers, Ramesh Singh Arora, Bilal Akbar, Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, MNA Anwarul Haq, MPA Wasim Butt, Rana Manan, Secretary Tourism, Secretary Agriculture, Commissioner and other officials were present on the occasion.
16/04/24
Minister Food Punjab Raids Markets to Ensure Provision of Affordable Roti-Naan

14 people were arrested on the spot for selling expensive Roti and naan in Lahore and points were sealed. According to the details, Food Minister Punjab Bilal Yasin is active in the field to ensure availability of Roti and Naan on the new notified price. The Food Minister visited Shadman and Muslim Town areas on Tuesday to review the prices of Roti and Naan. 14 persons involved in overcharging were arrested on the spot and the relevant points were sealed. Food Minister Bilal Yasin while talking to media representatives after the visit said that habitual criminals must be sent behind bars. The Food Minister reprimanded the Additional Deputy Commissioner General for poor monitoring of the market and directed the administration to come out of their offices and play an effective role in the field for public relief. Bilal Yasin said that the new prices have been notified after considering all the statistics and nobody will be allowed to create artificial inflation. Punjab Food Minister said that in Lahore they are ensuring bread at Rs 16 and Naan at Rs 20. Bilal Yasin directed that the district administration should display the price list in all the markets. He said that the price of flour has decreased historically and its impact will be brought to the grassroot level. He said that for the first time in history, the price of a 20 kg bag of flour was reduced by Rs 500. The Minister of Food said that along with the correct price, the weight of Naat and Roti must also be according to the standard. Deputy Commissioner Lahore, ADCG and Price Control Magistrate also accompanied the Minister during market raids.
05/04/24
CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif Chairs a Review Meeting On School Education Reforms in Punjab

“Delay in the delivery of textbooks is not acceptable,” said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif while chairing a review meeting on the proposed school education reforms in the province.

Madam Chief Minister directed to implement a new comprehensive procedure, in line with the International best practices, for the selection of CEOs, DEOs, DDEOs. in each district. Under the new mechanism, the selection of CEOs and other admin officers of the education department would be made after test, interview and computer education exam. Madam Chief Minister said,” Training of the CEOs from LIMS should also be ensured.”

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif also directed to provide educational facilities to special children in one government school in each district. She added,” Schools for transgenders will be established at divisional level.” Madam Chief Minister highlighted the need to start character building classes too in government schools.

Role of Punjab School Inspectorate, a proposal to form Standardized Matriculation Exam Board and a proposal to run all matters of school education through a central body were also discussed in the meeting. Madam Chief Minister said,”The central authority will work on Punjab education, teacher and curriculum development, school development, testing and assessment of learning outcomes.”

An agreement to hold a school hockey league in Punjab and Pakistan's biggest "School Olympics" was also discussed in the meeting.

Earlier, the authorities concerned briefed the Chief Minister that the supply of 41% textbooks is complete, and books will be provided to all schools by May. The next year, however, textbooks will be provided in February. They also presented Chief Minister a new story book on environmental pollution and climate change for schools.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Senator-elect Pervaiz Rashid, Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, School Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat, MPA Sania Ashiq, Chief Secretary and other relevant officers attended the meeting.