- Punjab offers interest-free electric, diesel bikes to students.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, along with PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, chaired a high-level meeting on transport facilities and announced several student relief measures, including the launch of hybrid bus services in major cities, as reported by 24News HD TV channel. Nawaz Sharif directed the Punjab government to distribute 20,000 electric and petrol motorbikes to students on easy installments, with the government covering the interest costs.
Maryam Nawaz supported the initiative, confirming that the Punjab government would provide 19,000 petrol bikes and 1,000 electric bikes to students interest-free. The bikes will be given to students with a valid traffic license across Punjab in collaboration with the Bank of Punjab, with the government paying the interest. Students will only need to pay monthly installments of PKR 5,000 for petrol bikes and PKR 10,000 for e-bikes. The bike distribution will begin in May, following a draw, and applications will open before Eid.
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:A quota of 50.50% will be reserved for male and female students, with villages having a 70% quota for male students and 30% for female students. Meanwhile, hybrid diesel bus services will be introduced across Punjab, with 300 buses for Lahore, 78 for Rawalpindi, 100 for Multan, 110 for Faisalabad, and 42 for Bahawalpur.
The meeting was attended by Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Information Minister Uzma Bukhari, Transport Minister Bilal Akbar, MPA Sania Ashiq, and various government officials, including the Chief Secretary, Chairman P&D, Secretary Transport, Finance, Higher Education Department, and the President of the Bank of Punjab.
2. Punjab Initiates Chief Minister’s Internship Program
The Punjab government launched the Chief Minister Internship Program. Individuals aged 18 to 25 can apply for the program via https://cmip.punjab.gov.pk/ . The initiative offers 6,000 internships, each lasting six months with a monthly stipend of Rs. 25,000, placing interns in leading private-sector institutions. Preference is given to graduates who completed their degrees in the past two years.
Eligibility Criteria for the Chief Minister Internship Program:
- Age Requirement: Applicants must be between 18 and 25 years old.
- Education: Open to graduates who earned their degrees or diplomas between June 1, 2022, and August 30, 2024.
- Degree Requirements: Both 16-year degree holders and diploma certificate holders can apply.
- Educational Background: Applicants must have completed 16 years of education from HEC-recognized institutions or hold a diploma in a specialized field.
Diploma Specializations:
- Three-year Diplomas: Associate Engineering, Agricultural Sciences.
- Two-year Diplomas: Medical Laboratory Technician, Radiography & Imaging Technician, Operation Theater Technician, Physiotherapy Technician, Ophthalmic Technician, Public Health Technician, Dental Hygienist, Renal Dialysis Technician, Anesthesia Technician, Endoscopy Technician, Paramedics/Health Technician in Dispenser, Cardiac Technician, CSSD Technician, Mortuary & Assistant Dental Technician, Livestock Assistant.
3. A Pollution-Free Punjab
On the direction of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb led a progress review meeting focused on air quality, school education, population, and health issues. The meeting, attended by a high-level delegation from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, discussed strategies to combat smog in Lahore, including the implementation of fines for smoke-emitting motorcycles identified through Safe City cameras. The aim is to reduce the Air Quality Index from 100 PM to 70 PM by 2028, with motorcycles identified as the primary source of transport-related pollution. The minister also directed the swift establishment of at least 100 Vehicle Inspection and Certification System (VICS) stations in Lahore to ensure better air quality.
The Senior Provincial Minister highlighted the introduction of electric bikes, vehicles, and buses as a key initiative to address environmental pollution under CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s direction. Emphasizing the need for public awareness, she called for collective efforts to protect the environment and suggested adopting models from Bangladesh and China to reduce pollution caused by motorcycles. The ongoing plantation campaign and stricter enforcement of environmental laws are expected to play crucial roles in improving air quality. Additionally, the minister stressed the importance of institutional reforms in the Education Department and the launch of Middle and Matric Tech programs in 500 schools across Punjab to enhance education quality and governance.
4. Punjab government sets date for Himmat Card payments. (Upcoming)
The Punjab government has launched the ‘Himmat Card’ initiative to support persons with disabilities (PWDs) by providing them with ATM cards. An MoU was signed between the Department of Social Welfare and the Bank of Punjab, with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif present. The program aims to distribute ATM cards to 65,000 eligible individuals, each receiving a quarterly stipend of Rs10,500. The rollout will occur in two phases, with payments beginning on September 15. The Himmat Card will also lay the groundwork for offering additional services to PWDs in the future.
5. CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif to Launch Grand Health Program for World-Class Facilities
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has set deadlines for completing the renovation of Basic Health Units (BHUs), Rural Health Centres (RHCs), and major hospitals in Punjab by March and June 2025. She has also approved a special allowance for doctors in remote areas and is overseeing significant health initiatives, including the construction of the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Care Hospital, which will feature advanced cancer treatment facilities and expanded bed capacity.
In addition, the Chief Minister is exploring proposals for a specialized bone marrow transplant hospital and a free insulin program. She has approved the development of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology in Sargodha, addressed issues with angiography services, and supported the creation of a cancer treatment unit at Qatar Hospital in Bhakkar. New medical colleges will also be established through public-private partnerships.
6. Apni Chat Apna Ghar
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has officially launched the ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’ initiative, aimed at providing affordable housing to Punjab residents. Announced on August 21, this program features a PKR 15 lakh interest-free loan to help purchase 5 marla plots in cities and 10 marla plots in rural areas, with a three-month grace period for payments.
The scheme promises affordable housing with monthly installments of PKR 14,000 and includes plans for Pakistan’s largest solar program next year, expected to cut electricity costs. The project will cover major cities in Punjab, offering homes with two bedrooms, a TV lounge, a bathroom, and a kitchen. Applications can be made through the online portal, with additional information available by calling 0800-09100.
