Punjab’s year of change under Maryam Nawaz

When Maryam Nawaz Sharif took the oath as Punjab’s first female Chief Minister, she brought a clear vision and an unwavering commitment to serving the people. In her inaugural speech, she pledged to introduce comprehensive governance reforms, and her first year in office stands as a testament to promises fulfilled.

From the outset, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif launched numerous initiatives aimed at public welfare. These programs, backed by thorough research, focus on inclusive development, ensuring the dignity and prosperity of all segments of society. In a political landscape often marred by protests and instability, her leadership has been a stabilizing force, setting new benchmarks for governance.

One of her key areas of focus has been the welfare of journalists. Despite economic challenges, she doubled the Journalists Support Fund and initiated Phase II of the Punjab Journalists Housing Foundation in Lahore, covering land costs to ease financial burdens on media professionals. Additionally, Rs150 million has been allocated for press clubs across Punjab, reaffirming her commitment to press freedom.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif has also prioritized youth empowerment. Her Honhaar Scholarship Program has provided over 30,000 scholarships worth Rs. 15 million, with an additional 20,000 scholarships planned for the next phase. The CM Punjab Laptop Scheme is equipping students with modern tools for learning. Other initiatives include safe transport for girls’ colleges, school meal programs benefiting 400,000 children daily, and the first-ever Autism School in Lahore. The CM Punjab E-Bikes Scheme promotes eco-friendly transport for students, while 27 electric buses have been introduced in Lahore.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has introduced multiple social welfare initiatives, ensuring support for marginalised communities.

The Minorities Card program currently benefits 50,000 families, with plans to expand to 75,000. The Punjab Dhee Rani Program has provided wedding support to 3,000 underprivileged couples, offering essential household items and financial assistance. The CM Himmat Card Program, with a budget of Rs2.6 billion, aids persons with disabilities by providing financial assistance and assistive devices.

The Ramadan Nigheban Program, with an allocation of Rs30 billion, ensures food security for deserving families. To streamline welfare programs, the Punjab Socio-Economic Registry has registered 3.95 million families, enabling data-driven service delivery.

The Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar program is another landmark initiative, providing interest-free loans for affordable housing. Two dozen houses have been completed, and nearly 9,000 are under construction. So far, Rs13.2 billion in loans has been disbursed to over 14,000 beneficiaries. Recognising the plight of the homeless, the CM has also announced a three-marla plot scheme for needy individuals. Maryam Ki Dastak, offering 98 digital services at citizens’ doorsteps, is another remarkable initiative aimed at streamlining governance and improving service delivery.

Punjab has witnessed a revival of cultural activities, including Jashan-e-Azaadi Floats, Quaid Day celebrations, the Horse & Cattle Show, and the Pink Games. The Suthra Punjab Program was launched within her first year in office to address environmental and cleanliness issues, while initiatives like the Smog Mitigation Program and the Green Credit Program (worth Rs. 500 million) highlight her focus on environmental sustainability.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif has revolutionized Punjab’s healthcare sector with initiatives such as Clinics on Wheels and field hospitals, which have treated 6.8 million patients. Free home delivery of medicines and advancements in cancer treatment have further enhanced healthcare access. The establishment of the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital and the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology in Sargodha are milestones in her healthcare reforms. Other major health initiatives include the Children’s Heart Surgery Program, CM Punjab Dialysis and Transplant Program, Air Ambulance Service, 37 new Rescue 1122 centers in 19 districts, and a 24/7 hospital control room for public service monitoring.

Under Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s leadership, Punjab is transforming into Pakistan’s true food basket. Key agricultural initiatives include the Green Tractor Program and Kisaan Card to support farmers, the Livestock Card for improved animal husbandry, the Solarisation of agricultural tube wells to promote sustainability, and Shrimp farming in Muzaffargarh, with a projected export target of $1 billion annually. Her focus on economic development also led to Punjab’s historic collaboration with China, resulting in multiple agreements. Key achievements include AI-driven robotic agricultural machinery to boost productivity, environmental pollution control initiatives, a $700 million investment for Nawaz Sharif IT City in Lahore, and a $50 million investment fund for technology startups.