Day: July 28, 2026

Lahore: The Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) announced one written and ten final results for various posts in Punjab government departments, including the Punjab Workers Welfare Fund, Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) and the Board of Revenue.

According to a PPSC spokesperson, Secretary PPSC Afzal Ahmed has issued the notification of the successful candidates.

The commission declared 17 candidates successful in the written examination for three posts of Steno typist in the Punjab Workers Welfare Fund, Labour and Human Resource Department. The qualified candidates have been shortlisted for interviews.

The PPSC also announced the final results for various posts in PERA. In the Sergeant category, 20 candidates were declared successful against 20 vacancies in Sargodha district, 14 candidates against 14 posts in Multan district and 10 candidates against 10 posts in Chiniot district.

For the post of Sergeant Driver, two candidates were declared successful against 10 vacancies in Layyah district, leaving eight posts vacant due to the non-availability of suitable candidates. Similarly, two candidates qualified against 12 vacancies in Khushab, while 10 posts remained vacant.

In Faisalabad, three candidates were selected against 19 Sergeant Driver posts, leaving 16 vacancies unfilled. Likewise, one candidate each was declared successful against 10 posts in Vehari, 12 posts in Rahim Yar Khan, 12 posts in Jhang and 14 posts in Gujranwala, while the remaining vacancies could not be filled due to the non-availability of suitable candidates.

The commission also declared one candidate finally successful for the post of District Disaster Management Coordinator for Chakwal district in the Board of Revenue, Punjab (Disaster Management Department).

The spokesperson said interview call letters for candidates who qualified the written examination would soon be uploaded to the PPSC website, while shortlisted candidates would also be informed through SMS and email.

Candidates have been advised to bring their original educational certificates and other relevant documents at the time of the interview. The detailed results are also available on the PPSC website.

Lahore: The School Education Department has decided to maintain the conveyance allowance of 35, 000 teachers participating in the English Language Proficiency Course during the summer vacations, giving big relief.

According to the instructions issued by the department, no deduction will be made in the conveyance allowance of the teachers participating in the course and full allowance will be paid to all eligible teachers.

For this purpose, the School Education Department has directed all the District Education Authorities to prepare a complete list of teachers participating in the training and send it to the Finance Department so that the payment of the allowance can be ensured on time.

The department has further directed that the data of all 35, 000 teachers taking the English Language Proficiency Course be immediately sent to the Finance Department so that there is no hindrance in the payment of their conveyance allowance.

It should be noted that conveyance allowance is generally deducted from the salaries of teachers during the summer vacations, however, teachers participating in this special training program have been exempted from this deduction.

Lahore: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced an additional allocation of Rs 43. 2 billion this year for registered workers under the Maryam Nawaz Ration Card programme after Rs28 billion had already been disbursed to 1. 2 million registered workers through the scheme.

Official statement said here on Monday, the number of registered workers in Punjab had reached a record 1, 403, 063. So far, 1, 244, 130 registered workers had received Maryam Nawaz Ration Cards, while the printing of another 4, 984 cards was underway. The registered workers were obtaining essential commodities worth Rs3, 000 per month from 62, 000 shops across the province through the ration card programme.

The chief minister also approved the Ration Card Programme for the financial year 2026-27. More than 100, 000 workers associated with the Suthra Punjab programme were also benefiting from the initiative. Presiding over a meeting, the CM Punjab directed the authorities to further increase the number of registered workers in the province.

Labour Minister Manshaullah Butt and Secretary Labour Danish Afzal gave a detailed briefing on the programme. The chief minister said ensuring the financial protection of every laborer and worker was her responsibility and directed that the number of beneficiaries under the ration card project be further expanded.

Lahore: The Punjab Employees Social Security Institution (PESSI), in collaboration with the Punjab Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), organized an e-Procurement training session at the auditorium of Nawaz Sharif Social Security Teaching Hospital, Multan Road, here on Monday to strengthen institutional capacity and promote transparent, efficient, and digital procurement practices.

The training was conducted by PPRA experts, who provided PESSI officers with comprehensive guidance on modern public procurement procedures, the applicable legal and regulatory framework, and the operation of the e-Procurement system.

Participants also received hands-on training on key e-Procurement modules, including the tendering process, bid management, and the practical use of the online procurement platform.

PPRA Managing Director Sahbzadi Wasima Umar attended the session and delivered a lecture highlighting the role of digitalization in ensuring transparency, accountability, and good governance in public procurement.

PESSI officers and officials actively participated in the interactive session, gaining practical knowledge and a better understanding of modern procurement practices designed to improve efficiency, transparency, and compliance.

The training forms part of the Punjab government’s broader digital transformation agenda, under which modern technology is being integrated into public institutions. Officials said the implementation of the e-Procurement system in Punjab Social Security would further streamline procurement procedures, improve transparency, and strengthen institutional governance.

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Energy Punjab, Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar, chaired a high-level meeting of the energy department and reviewed the progress on the Community Ecosystem-Based mall Hydropower Projects 2026 Framework, the utilization of untapped canal-based hydropower potential for clean and affordable electricity generation, and various renewable energy initiatives across the province.

During the meeting, the Minister was briefed that 40 potential sites had been identified for the development of small hydropower projects on Punjab’s canal network, where projects would be implemented in phases. A proposal to establish a hydropower project on the Lower Bari Doab Canal in Okara was also presented. Appreciating the proposal, the Minister directed the authorities concerned to accelerate practical progress on the project.

Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said that under the vision of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab government was taking practical steps to promote renewable energy and provide affordable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly electricity to the people. He stated that harnessing the untapped hydropower potential of the province’s canal system would not only strengthen energy self-sufficiency but also stimulate economic activity and development in rural areas.

The Minister further observed that community-based small hydropower projects would create employment opportunities at the local level, support small businesses, and contribute significantly to strengthening the province’s energy security. He directed the relevant departments to expedite the implementation of all renewable energy projects so that their benefits could reach the public at the earliest.

The meeting also received a detailed briefing on the final draft of the Punjab Electric Power Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Bill 2026. It was informed that the summary for the establishment of EPRA had already been submitted to the Provincial Cabinet for approval, which would help ensure effective regulation of the power sector, enhance transparency, and promote investment in Punjab.

The participants were further informed that the Punjab Power Development Board (PPDB) would provide a single-window facilitation mechanism for small hydropower projects to streamline approvals and expedite project implementation for investors and stakeholders. The meeting was attended by Secretary Energy Muhammad Ajmal Bhatti, Additional Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, heads of the Punjab Power Development Board, and chief executives of all companies operating under the Energy Department.

Lahore: Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol said on Monday that Punjab government’s decision to include the private sector in the industrial zoning process is a welcome step.

He said that industrialists in Lahore are currently facing major issues including a shortage of land, actions by various departments and relocation of industries.

Saigol said that the promotion of industries is essential for creating employment opportunities and strengthening the economy. However, under the current circumstances, it has become very difficult to establish a new industry or operate an existing one. He urged the government to resolve the problems of industrialists on a priority basis so that investment and industrial growth are not affected.

He was addressing a meeting on the identification of suitable land for the establishment of a Small Industrial Estate in Lahore. The meeting was attended by LCCI Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh, former President Muhammad Ali Mian, Punjab Small Industries Corporation Regional Director Muzammil Hassan Chaudhry, Director Sabih Zaka, Assistant Director Legal Amjad Abbas Shah, Executive Committee members Ahad Amin Malik, Rana Nisar, Mohsin Bashir, Iftikhar Ahmed, Rana Shaban Akhtar, Syed Hassan Raza, and other representatives.

Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol said that the business community has faced several challenges during the past year, but industrial zoning and the relocation of industries have become the most important issues. He said that existing industrialists serve as an example for new investors, but when industrialists face problems on a daily basis, it discourages new investment.

He said Pakistan is rich in natural resources and countless employment opportunities can be created through industrial development. Referring to difficulties faced by industrialists from different government departments, he said that industrialists are often subjected to unnecessary problems.

Referring to the proposed industrial zone near Pindi Das, he said that around 300 industrial units could be established there. He suggested that at least 50 percent of the capacity should be reserved for industries that need to be relocated from their current locations.

The LCCI President said that although the relocation of industries from residential areas is necessary, the process should be carried out in consultation with industrialists and with due consideration for their convenience so that business activities are not affected.

On the occasion, Punjab Small Industries Corporation Regional Director Lahore, Muzammil Hassan Chaudhry, said that industrial zoning has become a necessity due to Lahore’s rapidly growing population and urban expansion. He said that when many industries were established, there were no nearby residential areas, but over time housing developments expanded around them, creating the need for modern industrial zones.

He said that industries should be shifted to suitable locations to ensure environmental protection, safety standards, and better facilities for citizens. He added that the objective of the Punjab Small Industries Corporation is to facilitate industrialists, create employment opportunities, and promote economic growth.

Muzammil Hassan Chaudhry said that the purpose of the meeting was to identify locations for new industrial zones through consultation with industrialists and to ensure the smooth relocation of industries. He assured participants that the suggestions of the business community would be taken into consideration while moving the project forward.

He further said that preliminary work on the proposed project near Pindi Das has already begun and various aspects are being reviewed. He expressed hope that industrialists would cooperate with the government in establishing new industrial zones, promoting investment, and creating new employment opportunities.