LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced that farmers owning up to 25 acres will be eligible for the Agricultural Tubewell Solarisation Project.

“The project aims to alleviate farmers from heavy electricity bills and diesel costs,” she said on Friday.

“Farmers will only need to pay 33 per cent of the cost; the remaining 67 per cent will be covered by the government.”

In phase-I, 7,000 tubewells will be converted to solar energy, while phase-II will see another 10,000 tubewells converted in collaboration with the federal government.

She also directed the authorities to prepare a special package for vegetable farmers.

She said the issue of high electricity costs for farmers would be addressed with the provision of solar panels, leading to reduced crop costs by eliminating the need for diesel and expensive electricity.

Ms Maryam, under her vision ‘My Punjab — Safe to Safer’ (Mera Punjab — Mehfooz se Mehfooz Tar), introduced eight major initiatives.

These include the inauguration of Pakistan’s first Virtual Child Safety Centre. The upgraded Emergency 15 Centre, now equipped with 28 new features, was also launched.

A new WhatsApp number (03370000015) has been introduced for emergency communication. Additionally, the Pink Button Safety Zone was launched, requiring users to approach the camera of the Pink Button to receive police assistance.

The chief minister also inaugurated the School of Police Technologies and Artificial Intelligence, along with the Alberoni Institute of Research and Innovation. She also opened the Safe City Authority Auditorium and launched the latest Video Wall of the Safe City.

Ms Nawaz, accompanied by women police communication officers, laid the foundation stone for the Safe City Women Hostel, setting a completion deadline of January 25th. During her address, she requested the Communication Officer who had rescued a special child missing for three days to stand close to her.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2024