Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced a major plan to open 650 daycare centres across the province by the end of the next fiscal year. This Rs1 billion project by the Women Development Department aims to help working women balance their jobs and family life.
Already, 350 centres are fully working, while 40 more are almost ready. The first phase targeted 390 centres. The remaining facilities will be built in hospitals, schools, colleges, government offices, and Daanish schools. Priority is given to girls’ colleges, hospitals, South Punjab, and remote districts.
Each daycare centre will have trained caregivers, educational toys, learning materials, and LCD screens for children. The government will initially pay the caregivers’ salaries. An online monitoring system ensures high quality and transparency.
In Lahore, 70 out of 86 planned centres are already running. Good progress is also seen in districts like Faisalabad (20), Bhakkar (21), and others. Centres have opened at places like the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and bar councils.
CM Maryam Nawaz said this step is a top priority to support working women, protect their children, and promote women’s empowerment in Punjab. The initiative will make it easier for mothers to work with peace of mind.
