Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has taken a major and historic step towards the promotion of the film industry in the province by deciding to establish the Punjab Film City Authority. In this regard, the Punjab Film City Authority Act 2025 has been tabled in the Punjab Assembly, under which the sectors of film production, drama, and documentary filmmaking will be structured and modernized.
Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has shown deep interest in the project and directed the concerned authorities to establish Punjab’s first Film City, Film Studio, Post Production Lab, and Pakistan’s first Film School. It has also been approved that land for these facilities will be allocated within the “Nawaz Sharif IT City,” while progress on design and other administrative matters was also reviewed.
For the revival and promotion of the film industry, an eight member special committee has also been constituted, which will provide financial assistance and grants to filmmakers. Following cabinet approval, a formal notification has already been issued in this regard.
The committee is being headed by Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, while Information Minister Azma Zahid Bokhari, Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman, and Minister for Human Rights & Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora are among its members, along with senior officials of relevant departments. The committee will decide on filmmakers’ applications, production of new films, scripts of incomplete projects, fund allocation, eligibility criteria, and box office incentives.
Meanwhile, under the Punjab Film City Authority Act 2025, a comprehensive licensing and regulatory framework will be introduced, ensuring facilitation for filmmakers through a one window operation system. According to the bill, the authority will be financially supported by the Government of Punjab, while special incentives will also be offered to promote local and foreign investment.
The bill further states that through film, drama, and documentaries, Punjab’s culture, tourism, and positive image will be promoted at national and international levels. The proposed bill has been referred to the relevant committee for two months, which will submit its report. Following this, it will be presented to the Punjab Assembly for final approval.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has taken a significant step toward agricultural development and strengthening the rural economy by officially inaugurating the “Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar Scheme” portal. The initiative aims to provide agricultural land to landless rural families across the province, enabling them to earn a dignified livelihood while boosting agricultural productivity.
According to officials, the scheme carries an estimated value of around Rs 160 billion. Under the programme, 13,812 agricultural lots have been allocated across various districts of Punjab, benefiting approximately 88,780 families. In addition, 16,685 lots in the Cholistan region will provide employment opportunities to 101,111 families.
Each successful applicant will be allotted agricultural land valued between Rs 2.5 million and Rs 4 million for cultivation purposes. Furthermore, a one time settlement and cultivation grant ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 250,000 per acre will also be provided to facilitate initial farming activities.
The project has identified over 124,000 acres of agricultural land, selected carefully based on water availability and soil fertility. The land will be granted to successful farmers for a period of 10 years, strictly for agricultural use only, with no permission for permanent construction.
Applications will be accepted through the official portal from May 2 to May 18, while the appeal process will remain open from June 1 to June 8. The final list of successful applicants will be issued on June 19, and land distribution will begin on June 30.
In case of a large number of applicants, selection will be carried out through a lottery system to ensure transparency. To ensure effective monitoring, each land allotment will be linked with an agriculture officer and an intern, while assistant commissioners and agriculture department teams will conduct biannual inspections to review farming activities.
The project is being widely regarded as a major step toward strengthening the rural economy, creating employment opportunities for the unemployed, and increasing agricultural output across the province.

Rawalpindi: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has opened the floor to public input on proposed names for key infrastructure projects, including the District Courts Chowk and the adjacent Jinnah Park flyover and underpasses, prompting active participation and debate among residents.
The chief officer of the corporation has formally suggested naming the Kutchery Chowk flyover and underpass as the “Marka e Haq Flyover and Underpass.” However, the proposal has not gone unchallenged. Citizens have begun submitting alternative names, reflecting diverse public sentiment.
Among them, a local resident, Raja Najeeb, opposed the proposed title and instead recommended “Mohsin e Pakistan Flyover and Underpass,” in tribute to renowned nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan. The suggestion has added momentum to the ongoing discussion around commemorating national figures through public infrastructure.
In a separate development, authorities have proposed naming the underpass at Ammar Chowk as the “Fazaia Underpass,” though this proposal is also subject to public review and feedback.
Meanwhile, the Kutchery Chowk remodeling project has witnessed a significant increase in cost, rising from Rs. 14 billion to Rs. 19 billion. Officials have also extended the project’s completion deadline from April 30 to the end of May, citing adjustments in scope and ongoing construction requirements.
The RMC has encouraged citizens to continue submitting their suggestions and objections, emphasizing transparency and public participation in shaping the city’s urban landscape.