'Punjabi' set for central role in Punjab

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered steps to give Punjabi language a central role in education, culture and everyday public life in the province.

Presiding over accountability sessions, the chief minister issued directives spanning the education, environment, forestry, wildlife, fisheries, tourism, archaeology, sports and labour departments.

Officials said tourism in the province had been fully digitalised with the development of the Magnificent Punjab app, offering tourists access to travel information and guidance.

The chief minister directed them to prepare comprehensive development packages for all major tourist sites.

In order to promote healthy activities, schoolgrounds across Punjab will be opened to the public in the evening.

Participants of the meeting were informed that preparations for allotting three-marla residential plots to 20,000 workers in Jhang and Kamalia had been completed. The authorities concerned said low-interest loans would be provided under the 'Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar' scheme.

The chief minister directed the authorities to take immediate measures for rapid implementation of the project.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered extensive plantations along railway tracks, roads and canal banks. Senior officials said the government would install an advanced fire-alert system capable of detecting forest fire risks alongside a sensor-based mechanism to prevent illegal tree cutting.

The CM ordered championship events every month to nurture young talent across the province.

Authorities briefed the CM that Punjab's first pilot shrimp-farming project had succeeded, with large consignments exported. Shrimp farming on 5,000 acres would begin by February. The chief minister sought a feasibility plan to expand the scheme to 50,000 acres. The CM also sought recommendations for setting laptop quotas for private universities and colleges and early presentation of the draft for a College Management Council system.

She was informed that 44 buses will be provided promptly to girls' colleges across Punjab.

The chief minister expressed satisfaction over the UET's indigenously produced smog gun. She ordered the introduction of character-building classes in schools.

She approved launching of an "Education on Wheels" pilot project in Lahore. Authorities briefed her about a GIS-based complete forest mapping for the first time, advanced courses to be offered to students through Google Scholars.

Officials said permanent principals had been appointed in 90 per cent of Punjab's colleges, adding that recruitment of chairpersons, secretaries and controllers of education boards had been granted approval. They said distribution of milk packs had increased enrolment in targeted schools by 47%, while 1.1 million packets would be recycled into 150,000 benches.

The officials said 1,600 classrooms have been built, with 22,000 more to be completed in next three months. In addition, 500 classrooms, 3,036 roofs and 4,377 toilets have been rehabilitated, while 23,000 furniture sets and 1,643 water tanks have been provided to schools.

A crackdown is ongoing against keeping wild animals at homes. 35,000 birds and 7,000 animals have been rescued, while three wildlife rehabilitation centres have been established in Lahore, Khanewal and Rawalpindi.