27 smoke-free electric buses to run in Lahore 

Lahore: It has been decided to run 27 smoke-free electric buses in Lahore by the end of this month. The buses will run on solar energy.

Major decisions were taken in the seventh review meeting of development schemes in Punjab chaired by Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The Chief Minister had directed to run 620 eco-friendly buses in major cities of Punjab soon.

It was decided that this time the deserving will get the Ramadan Nigahban package in the form of cards.

The meeting considered the performance of 27 ministries and departments and ongoing schemes, including new projects. The ministries and departments of transport, minerals, fisheries, environment, forest and wildlife conservation, labor, livestock, endowment, and commodities management were reviewed.

In addition, the progress of the interior, police, prisons, high court, law and justice, protection and development of women's rights and all classes, and social welfare projects was reviewed. The annual development schemes of the departments of the Board of Revenue, Finance, Zakat and Ushr, S&GD, Works and Communications, Punjab Assembly, Archives and Libraries, Higher Education, and Planning and Development were also reviewed.

Chairman Planning and Development Nabeel Ahmed Awan, Secretary Asif Tufail, and secretaries of the concerned ministries attended the meeting.

The meeting was briefed that 15 smart police stations would be completed by February 19.

Additional funds of Rs42 million were approved for Kala Shah Kaku Judicial Academy. The approval of additional funds of Rs500 million for the development of 261 tons of iron ore reserves was considered.

The meeting was informed in the briefing that the Chief Minister has directed to establish shelters in Rawalpindi and Sargodha soon and to construct a model children's home in Attock in the shortest possible time. Following the instructions of the Chief Minister, the minority fund for the development of non-Muslim Pakistanis was doubled, and work is underway on the restoration of historical churches.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb directed that the mapping of the shrimp farming project on a thousand acres should be completed, while the pace of work on the forest conservation and plantation projects of Changa Manga should be further accelerated. The feasibility study of the model fish market in Lahore should be completed soon.

Marriyum said that the construction of a state-of-the-art climate observatory in Thokar Lahore will reduce air pollution.

She directed that the establishment of health and safety of workers during work and a health laboratory in Faisalabad should be expedited, and the establishment of hostels and 165 daycare centers for working women should be completed soon across Punjab.

The meeting was informed in the briefing that work on the upgrade of Jhang Veterinary College and Cholistan Veterinary University is in full swing.

The senior minister directed that mobile veterinary services should be provided at the doorsteps of farmers in South Punjab. Addressing the meeting, she said that the performance of officers along with the departments is also being monitored, and there will be no compromise on the speed, quality, and governance of the projects.