products made from citrus, potatoes and mangoes. Skills development, tourism and aquaculture are included in the broader development strategy.
The cabinet also approved the establishment of horticulture authorities in 20 districts, adding an institutional component to the province’s plans for developing horticulture-related activities.
By focusing on processing and value addition, the program aims to move beyond the production of raw agricultural commodities and encourage the development of higher-value products.
Green Tractor Programs Receive Additional Support
The cabinet approved subsidies for a new phase of the Chief Minister Punjab Green Tractor Program. Under the initiative, the provincial government will provide Rs. 9.5 billion to support the provision of 10,000 high-powered tractors.
According to the figures shared in the report, the program has received more than 250,000 applications, while approximately 25,000 tractors have already been delivered to farmers.
The cabinet also approved a waiver of late registration fees under the scheme, alongside subsidies for Phase IV of the low-powered Green Tractor Program.
These measures are intended to support farmers seeking access to agricultural machinery and improve mechanization across the province.
Rs. 7.6 Billion for Agricultural Transformation in Thal
The provincial government will allocate Rs. 7.6 billion for an agricultural transformation project covering 10,000 acres in Mankera and Layyah.
The project will support drip irrigation, solar power, water storage and other agricultural facilities. These investments are expected to improve access to irrigation infrastructure and support more efficient use of available water resources.
The initiative forms part of the government’s wider focus on agricultural modernization and improving the facilities available to farmers in targeted areas.
Rs. 60 Billion Allocated for Housing Loans
The cabinet also approved an allocation of Rs. 60 billion for the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar housing loan program.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz rejected a proposal to impose stamp duty under the scheme. The decision keeps the proposed additional charge out of the program following the cabinet discussion.
The housing initiative remains among the provincial government’s measures aimed at expanding access to housing finance.
Healthcare Funding and New Medical College
Healthcare was another key area discussed during the cabinet meeting. Maryam Nawaz directed officials to immediately release the amount needed to make medical equipment functional in hospitals.
The cabinet also approved funds to clear essential liabilities of the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department.
In addition, it approved the establishment of the Maryam Nawaz Medical College and Teaching Hospital in Mianwali.
The cabinet further approved the donation of six clinic-on-wheels vehicles to Gilgit-Baltistan and 15 vehicles to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, extending the proposed mobile healthcare support beyond Punjab.
Electric Buses, Traffic Fines and Air Quality Measures
The cabinet approved operational arrangements for 1,500 electric buses at the tehsil level as part of efforts to expand public transport services.
It also approved revisions to traffic fines under the Punjab Ring Road Authority. Higher penalties have been proposed for offences including speeding, overloading and violations involving pedestrian crossings.
Changes to an air-quality management project were also approved to provide electric trucks and anti-smog guns. The cabinet additionally sanctioned funding for the expansion of public services and development schemes.
Other decisions included approval for recruiting teaching interns in government schools, relaxing the recruitment ban for several departments and agencies, and making arrangements to host the 14th South Asian Games.
What the Plan Means for Punjab
The Rs. 1.995 trillion program brings together industrial investment, agricultural modernization, export support, housing finance, healthcare funding and public-service projects under a broad development agenda.
Its employment target of more than 162,000 jobs makes job creation one of its central objectives. However, the actual impact will depend on how quickly the approved initiatives are implemented, how much private investment materializes and how effectively the projects support businesses and workers.
The program’s mix of public funding and private-sector participation is designed to encourage investment across multiple industries while improving infrastructure and production capacity.
For Punjab, the next major step will be translating cabinet approvals into functioning projects, expanded business activity and employment opportunities across the province.
