In a series of impactful decisions, the Punjab cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, approved a lifelong pension scheme for the widows of government employees, marking a significant move for social security and support.
The approvals were granted during the 28th session of the provincial cabinet, where several wide-ranging reforms and relief initiatives were discussed and greenlit.
Among the key highlights:
- Lifelong pensions will now be provided to widows of deceased government employees, a step aimed at ensuring continued financial stability for families.
- Rescue workers who contributed to flood relief operations will be rewarded with Rs 50,000 each in recognition of their service.
- The cabinet has approved Rs 2.6 billion in funding to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to continue flood relief and preparedness efforts.
Educational Reforms Introduced
The government has taken steps toward streamlining academic assessments across the province:
- Grade 5 students will now undergo formal performance reviews.
- Grade 8 students will appear in standardized board exams, reinforcing accountability and academic standards.
Additionally, the cabinet approved a proposal to recruit Vice Chancellors from the open market, setting a minimum qualifying score of 80% for selection, aiming to bring transparency and merit into higher education leadership.
Rehabilitation, Industry & Digital Governance
Other major developments included:
- A directive to establish structured prison industries, enabling inmates to engage in productive and skill-building activities.
- Launch of an online application system for setting up petrol stations, in a bid to digitize and streamline the process for businesses and investors.
These decisions reflect a comprehensive push by the Punjab government to improve social welfare, education, digital governance, and economic rehabilitation in the province.
