In a landmark move, the Punjab cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, has approved a lifelong pension scheme for the widows of government employees, marking a major social welfare initiative in the province.
The decision was made during the 28th session of the provincial cabinet, which also witnessed several other significant developments across education, disaster relief, prison reform, and digital governance.
As part of the cabinet’s commitment to recognize public service, rescue workers deployed for flood relief operations will receive a special reward of Rs. 50,000. Additionally, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) was authorized to allocate Rs. 2.6 billion for ongoing flood relief efforts across the province.
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In a move to standardize academic performance, the cabinet approved formal assessment frameworks for grades five and eight. Grade 5 students will undergo a review-based evaluation, while Grade 8 students will take standardized board examinations to assess academic readiness and institutional quality.
The cabinet also endorsed the recruitment of Vice Chancellors from the open market, with a minimum eligibility threshold of 80% marks, aiming to ensure merit-based leadership in higher education.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the establishment of an organized industrial framework within provincial prisons, aiming to empower inmates through skill development and productive engagement.
To streamline commercial operations, the cabinet also approved a new online portal for applications to set up petrol stations, simplifying the licensing process and enhancing transparency.
