Lahore: The Punjab Cabinet on Saturday approved establishment of three universities for women in Bahawalpur, Sialkot and Faisalabad, and setting up of knowledge city at Rakh Dera Chahal.
The Punjab Cabinet met here that was chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, disclosed an official.
The Cabinet also approved Evacuee Trust Properties (Management and Disposal) Amendment Bill 2012 and policy aimed at plying CNG buses in big cities.
They reviewed Punjab Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority Act 2012 and decided that the cabinet committee will consider the recommendations for setting up regulatory authority and these recommendations would be widely publicised for obtaining public opinion.
The meeting also decided that recommendations with regard to setting up of information technology university of international standard be submitted in the next cabinet meeting whereas Net Café Regulations Act be submitted again after reviewing its all aspects.
Addressing the meeting, Shahbaz Sharif said the government has also taken solid measures for women empowerment and is pursuing an effective programme for equipping them with modern knowledge.
While giving approval to setting up of women universities, he directed that planning for setting up of such universities be made in those divisional headquarters where women universities do not exist.
He said a committee has been constituted for setting up Punjab Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority, which has formulated its recommendations meticulously keeping in view all aspects.
However, before giving final approval to the act of setting up that authority, it has been decided that those recommendations be widely publicised for getting public opinion, he added.
Directing to constitute the cabinet committee, the Chief Minister said besides getting public opinion, that committee should also consult with stakeholders for setting up that authority and after completing that process within 15 days it should be presented for approval in the next cabinet meeting.
The cabinet unanimously seconded the proposal of setting up regulatory authority for private educational institutions.
On knowledge city at Rakh Dera Chahal, he said it would be utilised for promotion of educational activities where educational institutions of international standard would be set up.
On public transport, he said provision of quality transport facilities to the masses has been started and a separate bus service for women has also been launched.
He disclosed that 575 more CNG buses are being imported and besides Lahore, those buses would also be plied in Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan and Gujranwala while some buses would be sent to Bahawalpur.
He directed that CNG be provided to the public transport uninterruptedly and he will hold a meeting with the Federal Minister for Petroleum soon in that regard.
He directed that plying of mini buses in small cities should also be considered and Secretary Transport might formulate recommendations in that regard.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister constituted a cabinet committee headed by Law Minister with regard to amendment in section 19 of Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act 2006 and added that the committee should submit its report after reviewing again that amendment.
He directed to constitute a committee headed by the Punjab Chief Secretary regarding provision of facilities to special persons and amendment in Punjab Social Services Board Ordinance 1970 and added that this committee might submit its recommendations after reviewing all matters.
Shahbaz Sharif said there is a dire need for establishment of a university of engineering and information technology of international standard in Pakistan.
He said a decision for setting up of such a university has been taken for this purpose where new generation could be equipped with latest knowledge.
“An agreement with regard to establishing university of information technology has also been made during his visit to Turkey.
