LAHORE: An extraordinary meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday approved a series of decisive measures to curb extremism and uphold the writ of the state across the province.
The high-level meeting, convened to review the law & order situation, decided to take harsh measures against those who take up arms against the state. The meeting finalised historic steps aimed at strengthening the rule of law and ensuring public safety. It was decided to strictly implement the Loudspeaker Act and to establish whistle-blower cells in every district to encourage citizens to report suspicious activities.
A special cell within Punjab Police Helpline 15 will also be established to receive complaints and intelligence reports regarding extremist groups and illegal international residents. Citizens have been urged to call 15 immediately to share relevant information.
The Punjab government also resolved to intensify operations against illegal weapons, corruption, and mafia networks, while promoting a culture of transparency and accountability. Peace committees will be made more active and inclusive immediately, ensuring community participation in ongoing operations.
In line with the government’s vision of taking governance to citizens’ doorsteps, mobile police stations will soon be deployed across the province to provide easy access to police services.
Clarifying that the ongoing combing operations target only extremist elements and not any sect or religious community, the chief minister directed district administrations to submit daily progress reports. These reports will detail actions taken against illegal residents, including those engaged in business activities, those brought into the tax net and those transferred to deportation centres.
The meeting also approved a ban on advertisements, posters and placards promoting extremist organisations. Property owners have been strictly warned against renting shops or houses to illegal residents, with violations to be prosecuted under the Tenancy and Passport Acts.
Furthermore, the government announced that cases will be registered under the PECA Act against individuals spreading hateful or inciteful content on social media. A zero-tolerance policy has been enforced across Punjab to combat online hate speech and extremism.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government achieved a major milestone by providing skill training to over 180,000 youth within just a few months under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s flagship Skilled Youth Programme, marking a transformative step in technical and vocational education across the province.
Chairing a meeting on Wednesday, the chief minister was informed that over 75,000 trained individuals have secured employment across Pakistan, while 15,000 others have landed jobs in international organisations.
The report further revealed that among those employed are 27,500 graduates from TEVTA, 45,000 from Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC), and 1,428 from Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) institutions. Additionally, 350 female students trained under the Garment City Project and 450 transgender individuals from the ‘Pehchan’ Skill Development Programme have successfully found jobs. Punjab has witnessed a 21 per cent rise in technical training compared to the past five years.
CM Maryam Nawaz directed authorities to launch a new industrial survey to align training programmes with market needs. She also gave in-principle approval for introducing the “Maryam Nawaz Free Travel Card” to facilitate skilled youth seeking job opportunities abroad.
Officials informed that in a move to modernise the construction sector, 24 state-of-the-art construction labs have been established across cities including Bahawalpur, Multan, Bhakkar, and Mianwali. These labs aim to train 2,450 youth in modern construction techniques — of whom 830 have graduated, 1,178 are currently enrolled and 975 will join the next batch.
The Hospitality Training Programme is also progressing, with 96 youth having completed training, another 96 currently under training, and 100 more to be enrolled in the next phase across Rawalpindi, Multan, and Faisalabad.
In the Garment City Project, 510 youth have completed training, with 350 already employed, while 980 more continue their training. Another 960 candidates will begin training soon. Under the International Outreach Programme, an impressive 112,000 youth have received specialised training, preparing them for global employment opportunities.
The government has also upgraded 2,158 training labs, currently serving 28,140 students across Punjab. CM Maryam Nawaz approved new rules and regulations for the Department of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, including the development of a modern curriculum and training modules.
For the 2025-26 plan, the province aims to train 201,485 youth, with 15,531 already trained locally and 4,230 trained internationally during the current fiscal year. The ‘Pehchan’ Skill Development Programme for Transgenders has so far trained 11,000 individuals, out of which 470 have gained employment, while 1,300 are still under training. Participants are also being provided with machinery and essential tools to support entrepreneurship.
In another key initiative, the government has allocated Rs1 billion for the ‘Main Digital’ Programme aimed at training 3,000 rural women in IT skills. The first phase covers Bahawalpur, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Lodhran and Faisalabad, with a target of training 2,100 women by April 2026.
CM Maryam Nawaz reaffirmed her commitment to expanding skill development opportunities, saying that the initiative is reshaping Punjab’s workforce and opening new doors of economic empowerment for youth, women and marginalised communities across the province.
Separately, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz expressed deep grief and sorrow over the tragic death of a young motorcyclist who lost his life after being cut by a kite string in Lahore. The chief minister extended heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the bereaved family of 21-year-old Nauman, who died in the tragic incident.
Strongly condemning the illegal act of kite flying, Maryam expressed serious indignation and directed the authorities concerned to take immediate and strict action against those responsible. She also instructed the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Lahore to submit a detailed report without delay.
Reaffirming her government’s commitment to strictly enforce the ban on kite flying, the chief minister said that every possible measure would be taken to ensure such tragic incidents are prevented in the future.
