By Sumavaya Iqbal 
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif led the 28th cabinet session, ushering in a wave of labour-friendly and institutional reforms. A key highlight was the approval of 1,220 residential flats for industrial workers across Labour Complexes in Sundar, Kasur, and Taxila. These units will be distributed via balloting, with no cost to be recovered from workers, as directed by the CM. Furthermore, Maryam Nawaz ordered the immediate launch of 3,000 additional flats to support low-income industrial families.
The cabinet also raised the minimum monthly wage to Rs40,000 for skilled and semi-skilled workers in 102 job categories, marking a progressive step in labour rights.
Recognition was extended to Rescue 1122 personnel for their flood relief efforts, with Rs50,000 reward granted to each official who participated in emergency duties.
Major recruitment drives were approved for the Right Management Police, Punjab Wildlife and Parks, Wall City Authority, and other departments. Several contract extensions were granted, impacting over 600 employees across various public sector roles.
The meeting also endorsed landmark regulations like the Punjab Occupational Safety and Health Rules 2024, focused on sewer line and construction site safety. Amendments to Drug Rules, Charities Commission oversight, and Sports Board governance were also ratified.
Digitization saw progress with an online petrol pump licensing system, slashing documentation from 16 to 6 requirements. Infrastructure efforts included the expansion of WASA to 13 more cities, and launch of AI-based traffic solutions within 90 days.