Punjab Approves Rs1.995tr Plan Targeting 162,000 Jobs

The Punjab cabinet has approved the central features of an industrial development and export promotion programme that envisages Rs1.995 trillion in investment and the creation of more than 162,000 jobs. Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb presented the programme during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

Under the proposed financing structure, the provincial government would contribute Rs1.089 trillion, while another Rs906 billion would come from the private sector. This division makes private investment and public-private partnerships essential to achieving the programme’s employment and export targets.

The programme focuses on industrial infrastructure, specialised manufacturing clusters, export competitiveness and the transformation of value chains. Planned measures include support for existing businesses, e-commerce, garments and plug-and-play industrial facilities that can reduce the time and initial expense required for companies to begin production.

Testing and certification services are planned for leather, footwear and sporting goods, while material-testing laboratories would serve the cutlery, handmade tools, ceramics and fan industries. These facilities could help manufacturers comply with overseas standards, although their impact will depend on timely construction, internationally recognised certification and affordable access for smaller exporters.

Agricultural processing parks are planned for Sargodha, Khanewal, Okara and Bhakkar. The wider initiative covers wheat processing, meat and milk supply chains, aquaculture, tourism and value addition for citrus fruit, potatoes and mangoes. Horticulture authorities will also be established in 20 districts to coordinate development and improve the commercial potential of local produce.

The cabinet approved Rs9.5 billion in subsidies for 10,000 high-powered tractors under a new phase of the Green Tractor Programme. Officials said more than 250,000 applications had been received and about 25,000 tractors had already been delivered through earlier phases. A waiver of late registration fees and subsidies for the fourth phase of the low-powered tractor programme were approved as well.

Another Rs7.6 billion will support an agricultural transformation project covering 10,000 acres in Mankera and Layyah. The project includes drip irrigation, solar energy, water-storage facilities and other infrastructure intended to improve agricultural productivity in the Thal region.

The cabinet separately allocated Rs60 billion for the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar housing-loan programme, while a proposed stamp duty on the scheme was rejected. Funds were also approved to clear essential healthcare liabilities and make hospital equipment operational. Punjab will donate six mobile clinic vehicles to Gilgit-Baltistan and 15 to Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Additional decisions covered higher penalties for traffic violations under the Punjab Ring Road Authority, electric trucks and anti-smog guns for an air-quality project, and operational arrangements for 1,500 electric buses at the tehsil level. The cabinet also backed a new medical college and teaching hospital in Mianwali, recruitment of teaching interns, preparations to host the 14th South Asian Games and limited relaxation of the provincial recruitment ban.