Punjab Cabinet Approves Solar Energy Systems and Other Public Welfare Projects
LAHORE: In a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the 13th Punjab Cabinet approved several significant public welfare projects on Tuesday. Among the key initiatives are:
- Roshan Gharana Programme: Under this initiative, solar home solutions will be provided to lifeline consumers using up to 100 electricity units across Punjab.
- Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar Project: This project will offer Rs1.5 million to beneficiaries for constructing houses—a five-marla house in urban areas and a 10-marla house in rural areas.
- Electric Buses in Lahore: The cabinet approved a plan to introduce 27 electric buses in Lahore, scheduled to arrive by December 2024.
- Punjab Grid Company: The establishment of this company was approved to facilitate direct electricity supply to industries. The project includes providing affordable electricity to the Industrial Park through direct transmission lines from Bhiki, Balloki, and Quaid-i-Azam Solar Park.
- Amendment to Registration Act 1908: This amendment will enable the provision of revenue services to overseas Pakistanis residing in China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, UK, USA, Italy, Qatar, Bahrain, and Spain.
- Glass Train Feasibility Study: The cabinet approved a feasibility study for a glass train aimed at tourism between Rawalpindi and Murree, a pioneering project in the country.
The meeting also notably included Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani, the Minister for Mines and Minerals, who is under scrutiny for alleged corruption. Despite an earlier announcement by CM Maryam Nawaz to issue a show-cause notice and form a committee for investigation, no formal action has been taken against Gorchani as of yet. The chief minister had pledged a strong stance against corruption, yet the expected probe into the minister’s conduct appears to have stalled.
For more updates on these initiatives and other cabinet decisions, stay tuned to official announcements from the Punjab government.
