Punjab to set up 650 daycare centres for working women

Modern colorful daycare interior with wooden shelves, bright mats, and green hanging ceiling acoustic clouds.

Punjab to set up 650 daycare centres across the province to support working women.

| Published June, 9 2026 | Updated

Web Desk: The Punjab government has announced to open 650 daycare centers to provide support for working women across the province.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said the Maryam Nawaz daycare project is progressing rapidly through the Women Development Department Punjab.

The initiative is designed to provide safe childcare services for women employed in government offices, hospitals, schools, and colleges.

Under the plan, 650 Punjab daycare centres will be established across the province. The government has allocated Rs1,000,000,000 for the project, reflecting its commitment to improving facilities for working women Punjab.

According to officials, the first phase includes 390 daycare centres. Out of these, 350 are already functioning, while work on the remaining centres is nearing completion. Authorities have been directed to complete all Punjab daycare centres by the next financial year.

The Maryam Nawaz daycare project aims to create modern and child-friendly environments. The facilities will include educational materials, toys, and LCD screens to support children’s learning and recreation.

Trained caregivers will also be recruited, with salaries initially paid by the Women Development Department Punjab.

The government has already established childcare facilities Punjab in all Daanish Schools to support female teachers and staff members.

Additional centres are being set up in girls’ colleges, hospitals, and institutions in South Punjab and other underserved areas.

To ensure transparency and smooth operations, the Women Development Department Punjab has introduced an online monitoring system.

The digital platform will help officials track the performance and quality of services at all daycare facilities.

In Lahore, 70 of the planned 86 daycare centres Lahore are already operational. Following special directives, facilities have also been established at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Punjab Bar Council.

Other districts have also witnessed significant progress. Government institutions in Faisalabad now have 20 centres, while facilities are operational in Bhakkar, Sheikhupura, Layyah, Khanewal, Bahawalpur, Multan, Okara, Nankana Sahib, Sialkot, Vehari, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, and Sargodha.

Officials believe the expansion of childcare facilities Punjab will help more working women Punjab continue their careers without worrying about childcare arrangements.

The government says the Maryam Nawaz daycare project, the growing network of Punjab daycare centres, and the expansion of daycare centres Lahore are important steps toward women’s empowerment and workplace inclusion.