Lahore: In a sweeping move to benefit landless farmers and low-income families, the Punjab Cabinet has approved a series of initiatives including the allotment of 100,000 acres of land, the launch of an electronic bus (e-bus) service, and a historic collective wedding program. These decisions aim to boost local agriculture, modernize public transportation, and support social welfare.

According to Zameen.Com, the land allotted will be leased to farmers for temporary cultivation spanning three to five years. The e-bus initiative will kick off with 27 buses in its first phase, supported by a 1.2 MW solar power installation for charging. A total of 680 e-buses are expected to be operational across the province by year’s end.

The collective wedding program is designed to assist 3,000 brides from low-income households, providing each with a PKR 100,000 dowry on an ATM card, along with 13 essential household items. Chief Minister Sharif has directed an expansion of this program’s scope to include more participants.

Further cabinet decisions include the approval of funds for the construction of 839 houses under the New Pakistan Housing Scheme and the annual maintenance of the provincial government’s helicopter. Additionally, a partnership between the Board of Revenue and the Bank of Punjab will facilitate tax collection on property transfers through an e-stamping system.

The cabinet also sanctioned a PKR 1.7 billion budget for upgrading equipment and furniture in tertiary care hospitals and endorsed several legislative and administrative measures to improve governance and public service delivery across the province.