Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced the establishment of 650 daycare centres across Punjab by the next fiscal year, aiming to support working women and help them balance professional and family responsibilities.
According to officials, the initiative is being implemented by the Women Development Department under a special programme launched by the chief minister.
The provincial government has allocated Rs1 billion for the project, which includes setting up daycare facilities in hospitals, educational institutions, and government offices across the province.
Under the first phase, the government set a target of establishing 390 daycare centres. Authorities said 350 centres are already operational, while work on the remaining 40 facilities is nearing completion.
Each daycare centre is being equipped with educational materials, toys, and LCD screens, while trained caregivers are being appointed to provide childcare services. Officials added that the Women Development Department will initially bear the salaries of caregivers to ensure smooth operations.
The programme has also been expanded to Daanish Schools to facilitate female teachers and staff. Priority is being given to setting up daycare centres in girls’ colleges, hospitals, South Punjab, and remote districts, where access to childcare facilities remains limited.
To ensure transparency and efficiency, the Punjab government has introduced an online monitoring system to oversee the performance and daily operations of daycare centres across the province.
In Lahore, 70 out of the planned 86 daycare centres are already functional in government offices, hospitals, and educational institutions. Similar facilities have also been established at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and various bar councils.
Officials said significant progress has also been made in districts including Faisalabad, Bhakkar, Sheikhupura, Layyah, Khanewal, Okara, Nankana Sahib, Sialkot, Vehari, Bahawalpur, Multan, Gujranwala, Sargodha, and Rawalpindi.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the welfare, protection, and empowerment of working women remain a top priority of her government.
She added that the daycare initiative would create a more supportive and inclusive work environment for women across Punjab, enabling greater participation in the workforce.
