Air Punjab to be launched by year-end, provincial finance minister says 

Punjab Finance Minister and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rahman on Monday announced that preparatory work for Air Punjab has been completed and the airline will be launched by the end of this year.

Speaking at a press conference at the Punjab Assembly, he said the government is also preparing to hold local body elections between September and November, in line with the Election Commission’s schedule.

The minister stated that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the provincial cabinet remain actively engaged in assembly proceedings whenever required.

On the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), he said the legislation contains no objectionable provisions and noted that similar laws exist in developed countries. He added that amendments could be considered through dialogue if concrete proposals are presented.

Addressing concerns over inflation during Ramadan, the minister said strict action would be taken against hoarders and profiteers and that artificial price increases would not be tolerated. He said the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA), price control teams and the agriculture department are currently enforcing penalties and fines to curb violations.