Punjab cuts solar tariff, bars tax on beauty salons

Cabinet okays pay raise, ration cards, crop aid, tax cuts, and relief cheques for flood-affected families

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz reduced solar power tariffs by Rs2 per unit during the a meeting of the provincial cabinet, which approved a wide-ranging 171-point agenda including a major flood relief package, tax adjustments, and new initiatives in health, education and transport.

A detailed briefing presented to the cabinet on Monday stated that the 2025 floods affected 4.67 million acres of crops across 27 districts, impacting more than 4.7 million people. Around 2.6 million residents and 2.1 million livestock were rescued during relief operations that included 417 camps across the province.

🔹29th meeting of the Punjab Cabinet held under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. A record 171 agenda items were approved.

🔹Approval was granted to start the distribution of relief cheques to flood victims from October 17.

🔹Rs. 1 million for families of those who… pic.twitter.com/Pm4fOunIUH

— PMLN (@pmln_org) October 6, 2025

Financial assistance for flood victims

The cabinet approved the start of financial assistance for flood victims from October 17, authorising the distribution of cheques to affected families. The relief package includes compensation of Rs1 million for families of the deceased, Rs500,000 for permanent disability, and Rs300,000 for partial disability.

Homeowners whose houses were completely destroyed will receive Rs1 million, while those with partially damaged homes will get between Rs150,000 and Rs500,000.

Livestock owners will be compensated up to Rs500,000 for large animals and Rs50,000 for smaller livestock. Farmers will receive Rs20,000 per acre for a 25% crop loss.

The provincial government also decided to waive water rates and agricultural income tax for flood-hit areas across 2,855 localities. Construction in riverbed zones will no longer be permitted, officials said.

• پنجاب میں ایسا تباہ کن سیلاب پہلے کبھی نہیں دیکھا گیا، پورے کے پورے شہر سیلاب سے متاثر ہوئے

• جس طرح دوسرے صوبوں کے لئے ہم دل اور وسائل کے دروازے کھلے رکھتے ہیں اسی طرح دوسروں سے توقع رکھتے ہیں

وزیراعلیٰ مریم نواز کا صوبائی کابینہ اجلاس سے خطاب pic.twitter.com/qWvnkKipqK

— PMLN (@pmln_org) October 6, 2025

Salary increase for Civil Defence workers

The chief minister announced a Rs15,000 monthly salary increase for Civil Defence workers in recognition of their volunteer efforts during flood relief. She also commended provincial teams for keeping the death toll “the lowest despite the scale of destruction.”

“Punjab has never witnessed such a devastating flood before,” Maryam said, noting that entire cities including Narowal and Muzaffargarh were inundated. “Ministers, deputy commissioners, rescue teams, PDMA and civil defence all worked with unmatched dedication.”

She added that the floods reaffirmed her cabinet’s decision to empower young people in leadership roles. “Ministers and cabinet members are not meant to sit in offices — they must stand with the people in their hour of need,” she said.

Maryam stated that 1.15 million victims were provided medical treatment during the floods, calling it a “record achievement.” She reiterated that Punjab stands with every province in times of crisis. “Just as we keep our hearts and resources open for others, we expect the same from them,” she said.

Anti-smog measures and Maryam Nawaz ration card

Maryam directed authorities to finalise anti-smog measures before the season begins and instructed that no health or education projects be delayed. She also ordered all deputy commissioners to keep filtration plants operational, allowing NGOs to repair and maintain those under their supervision.

The chief minister rejected a proposal to recruit additional support staff in the CM Office. However, the cabinet approved the launch of the Maryam Nawaz Ration Card pilot project in Lahore and an interest-free electric taxi scheme.

Recruitment was also approved for 8,084 college teaching interns and new school teaching interns across Punjab. The government extended contracts for 14 project-based employees in the Energy Department’s Reconciliation Cell and relaxed restrictions for hiring in the Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority and Counter Terrorism Department.

The meeting also approved the creation of 444 new posts in 10 sensitive districts for environmental law enforcement, 77 positions in the Punjab Transport Company, 379 additional district and sessions judges, and 872 civil judges-cum-magistrates.

The cabinet further approved the distribution of e-bikes for athletes under the 'Khelta Punjab' programme.

No taxes on salons and cut in Rent-a-Car service tax

The cabinet also rejected the 2025 Constitutional Bill, directed the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) to refrain from imposing taxes on beauty salons, and ordered the formation of a special research committee for board nominations.

Among economic measures, the chief minister cut the Rent-a-Car service tax to 15%. The meeting also set MBBS fees for overseas Pakistanis at $10,000, rejecting a proposed increase to $20,000, and made the MDCAT test mandatory for applicants from other provinces.