LAHORE: Encouraged by the success of its earlier ventures in power generation, Punjab has decided to set up one more gas-fired power plant.

A meeting of the provincial cabinet approved setting up of the new 1,200MW plant in south Punjab here on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said the project was envisaged1(eeping in view the current energy needs of the country as well as future challenges. A suitable piece of land would be identified in Rahim Yar Khan or Muzaffargarh district.

He said the project too would be completed speedily by working day and night on it.

The cabinet also approved establishment of safe city projectsinsixmajortowns-Multan, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Sargodha. These projects would be implemented in phases and later on, safe city project would also be initiated in Sahiwal.

It also approved the agreement between the agriculture department and Akhuwat for providing interest-free loans to small and landless farmers. The government would set up a revolving fund with an amount of Rs2 billion for the purpose.

The meeting also approved amendments to different laws, including Punjab E-Stamp Rules 2016, Punjab Sales Tax on Services (Amended) Ordinance 2016, Fort Munro Development Act 2016 and PEE DA Act, 2016.

After amendment in the PEEDA Act, the inquiry would have to be finalised in 60 days, instead of 90 days. It will also grant retired employees right to appeal against a decision(s)taken under the law.

The meeting approved the establishment of Punjab Mental Health Authority under the Punjab Mental Health Ordinance, 2001.

It also approved minutes of proceedings of 22 to 27 meetings of Standing Committee for Finance and Development of the Cabinet.

The chief minister said the safe city project would be completed in 2018 to help eradicate terrorism and street crimes. He said no nation or society could move forward without first ensuring protection of life and property of the people.

He said launch of e-stamp papershadchangedthe100year old archaic and obsolete system and ended fraud, forgery and issuance of stamp papers in back dates.

The cabinet members greeted the CM upon getting arrears worth Rs80 billion of net hydel profit from the Centre. The province would regularly get Rs9 billion per annum under this head.