Highlights

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28/03/24

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif took a revolutionary step for the development of agriculture and welfare of farmers in the province. She approved “Sar Sabz Punjab…Khushhal Kashtkaar (Green Punjab…Prosperous Farmers) Programme, while chairing a special meeting on the development of agriculture sector in the province. Madam Chief Minister gave in-principle approval to start multiple schemes in this regard. These schemes include pavement of watercourses, farm mechanisation, focus on research & development to introduce best quality seeds, and the provision of solar tube wells to the farmers.

Under the “Pavement of Water Courses Programme,” initially 1200 water courses will be paved with a cost of Rs 10 billion. Madam Chief Minister directed to pave and rehabilitate all water courses in Punjab in next 05 years.

Under the farm mechanisation Programme, 56 types of agricultural machinery along with 1000 laser levelers will be purchased at a cost of Rs 02 billion in 3 months, and will be given to the farmers on 60% subsidy. Under the 2-year mechanization plan, 23,000 agricultural implements and 2,280 laser land levelers will be given to farmers at a cost of Rs 13.4 billion.

Under the Solar Tube Well Project, farmers with a land holding of up to 25 acres will be provided with the solar systems in two years.

Earlier, Secretary Agriculture gave a detailed briefing on various projects for the uplift of agriculture sector. He presented a plan to increase seed production from 4 lakh tonnes to 6 lakh tonnes. The proposal to cultivate soybean seed on one lakh acre area in collaboration with the University of Agriculture Faisalabad was also discussed in the meeting. Moreover, Madam Chief Minister was briefed that there is 30 to 37 percent tax and duty on the import of high-tech agricultural machinery. She ensured to approach the federal government to get these taxes and duties waived off on the import of high-tech machinery for the development of agriculture in the province. She also agreed to contact the federal government to exempt the rice straw shredder machine from tax to control smog and prevent crop residue burning.

Secretary agriculture also briefed the Chief Minister that Pakistan needs 29 million tonnes of wheat, Punjab produces 26 million tonnes. However, 12% wheat yield and 18% rice yield have decreased due to manual sowing.

Madam Chief Minister was also apprised that In Pakistan, 1.75 million tons of seeds are required annually for the cultivation of various crops. However, due to the unavailability of sufficient quality of seeds in the country, seeds worth Rs 50 billion are imported annually for the purpose.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, Agriculture Minister Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, Former Senator Pervaiz Rashid, MPA Sania Ashiq, Secretaries Agriculture, Finance, President Bank of Punjab and other senior officers concerned attended the meeting.

27/03/24

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif chaired a review meeting of the Infrastructure Development Authority Punjab (IDAP).

CCO IDAP gave a detailed briefing on the functions and challenges of IDAP. He briefed the Chief Minister about various ongoing and upcoming projects projects of IDAP.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed her concern over the delay in the completion of Punjab Agriculture Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) Complex. She directed to take measures to shift DHQ Mianwali to new building, besides completing Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology Sargodha and Cancer Hospital Lahore within stipulated time.

Madam Chief Minister also directed to complete and operationalize Layyah and Bahawalnagar General Hospitals, and Nishtar II Hospital Multan at the earliest.

Madam Chief Minister said, “The credit for establishing an institution like Infrastructure Development Authority of Punjab (IDAP) goes to Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif.”

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Provincial Minister for Information and Culture Azma Zahid Bukhari, Provincial Minister for Communication and Works Soheb Ahmed Malik, Former Senator Pervaiz Rashid, MPA Sania Ashiq, Chief Secretary, Secretaries Finance, C&W, I&C, and other senior officers also attended the meeting.

27/03/24

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed to create a new department for anti-narcotics, while chairing a review meeting on Department of Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control. She also directed to clear the backlog of registration plates of motor vehicles.

Madam Chief Minister said, “All resourceful people who are not paying tax currently should be brought into the tax net.” She added,”Tax on houses needs to be rationalized.” Madam Chief Minister directed the authorities concerned to prepare an assessment report on the difference of property tax due to mismatch in the properties’ rental values and DC rates. She approved to set up a tax consultancy unit for proper evaluation of tax.

Earlier, Madam Chief Minister was briefed that 13 excise check posts will be established to prevent smuggling of goods and drugs. Moreover, the launch of e-stamped documents for e-registrations of vehicles will result in 12.5% increase in tax collection. The revival of opium factory and the review of pharmaceuticals will add a tax revenue of Rs 900 million. The authorities concerned also apprised the Chief Minister that Excise Department will start providing services through Dastak Program at people’s doorsteps. Excise Department will also work with Safe City Authority for the recovery of challans.

Former Senator Pervaiz Rashid, MPA Sania Ashiq, Chief Secretary, Secretaries Finance, Excise and other senior officers concerned attended the meeting.

26/03/24

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced to give 50,000 solar systems across Punjab under Chief Minister Roshan Gharana Program. She was chairing a review meeting on Solar home solution.

With the Budget outlay of Rs 12.6 billion, 50,000 protected consumers using 100 units monthly will be given solar systems through balloting in Phase-I. Gradually home based solar systems will be provided to other consumers of Punjab. A solar system will include advanced solar plate, inverter, battery and other allied accessories.

Madam Chief Minister directed to initiate immediate steps for the installation of one kilowatt solar systems. She also directed to bring in solar systems of the latest technology.

Provincial Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, Former Senator Pervaiz Rashid, 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.

20/03/24

“The provision of bikes to students is a revolutionary scheme under Chief Minister's Youth Initiative, said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who witnessed the signing of an MoU between Transport Department and Bank of Punjab for the provision of 20,000 bikes to students on easy monthly instalments. Secretary Transport Ahmed Javed Qazi and President Bank of Punjab Zafar Masood. signed the MOU.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said,”19,000 petrol and 1,000 electric bikes will be given to the students free of interest in monthly installments.” She explained,” The monthly installment of petrol bike will be Rs 5000, whereas it would be less than Rs 10,000 for the e-bike.”

Madam Chief Minister said,” The Government will bear interest on providing bikes to students on easy installments in collaboration with the Bank of Punjab.” She added,” The provision of bikes to students will revolutionize their lives. Personal ride will ensure ease of travel and saving of time in their daily lives, which will lead to improvement in their academic performance.”

Madam Chief Minister noted,” Equal representation of male and female students in the distribution of bikes is welcome.”

Madam Chief Minister inspected the proposed electric and petrol bikes for students. She asked about the price of the bikes and checked their quality, and directed to match color of bikes with the color of Punjab government's green logo.

The Chief Minister said,” Registration of students for bikes will start as soon as possible.” She added,” After the draw in May, delivery of bikes will start in the same month.”

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Former Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Provincial Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, Provincial Minister Transport and Masstransit Bilal Akbar Khan, Chief Secretary, Secretary Transport and Mass Transit, Finance, HED, Chairman PITB, President Bank of Punjab Zafar Masood, MD PMA, Secretary PTA Punjab, Secretary RTA Lahore and other officers concerned attended the meetings..