Maryam Nawaz promises a modern Punjab, rejects political point-scoring against province

By Our Correspondent

LAHORE, October 3, 2025: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, in back-to-back high-profile engagements, underscored Punjab’s rapid development, historic reforms, and unwavering commitment to people’s welfare. She met with a delegation of the National Security and War Course at the Civil Services Academy and later inaugurated Phase-II of the Electric Bus Project in Lahore, making landmark announcements on governance, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, and social protection.

Read also: CM Maryam directs flood relief in Muzaffargarh, Marriyum Aurangzeb supervises distribution

During her interaction with the National Security and War Course delegation, which included senior officers of Pakistan Army, Navy, Air Force, civil servants, and participants from 26 countries, the Chief Minister congratulated the armed forces on the success of Operation Bunyan-um-Marsus and paid tribute to Field Marshal Asim Munir and the military leadership. She said, “Every decision of a ruler impacts the lives of people. An economically and defensively strong country is seen with respect in the world.”

Maryam Nawaz Sharif emphasized that her government has eliminated nepotism and political appointments in Punjab, ensuring 100% merit-based recruitments with zero corruption allegations. She reiterated her belief in strengthening local governments and said institutions are constantly monitored for performance.

Highlighting revenue and governance achievements, she disclosed that Punjab’s revenue had touched one trillion rupees and pledged to share projects with other provinces. She also spoke of introducing the Crimes Control Department (CCD) to bring down crime rates and the use of thermal imaging drones for rescue operations during Punjab’s worst floods, which helped in the largest evacuation in the province’s history.

The Chief Minister announced groundbreaking reforms in agriculture, healthcare, and environment. Punjab’s agriculture is being mechanized for the first time, health facilities are being upgraded to European standards, cancer patients will receive treatment with a co-ablation machine, and 15 smog guns have been imported to combat pollution. Additionally, 500 villages are being developed as model smart villages.

Later, while inaugurating Phase-II of the Electric Bus Project in Lahore, Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced the addition of 70 more electric buses in Lahore by December and a total fleet of 500 electric buses for Lahore Division. She also unveiled plans for Metro Bus projects in Gujranwala and Faisalabad, sewerage reforms, and expansion of electric buses to Nankana Sahib, Kasur, and Sheikhupura.

She proudly stated that electric buses, with fares as low as Rs. 20 and free rides for senior citizens, students, and differently-abled individuals, are setting new standards in public service. Equipped with Wi-Fi, CCTV, charging ports, and wheelchair access, the buses are already operational in multiple cities where public transport was once unimaginable.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif further announced massive infrastructure projects, including 90,000 houses under the ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’ scheme, clean drinking water supply to homes, underground rainwater storage tanks, and 20,000 km of new and repaired roads, with 25 km of new roads planned in every village.

She declared: “If we are given five years, we won’t just make Punjab the best province in Pakistan, we will make it one of the best in the world.”

Addressing flood management, she highlighted Punjab’s swift rescue and relief operations, where 1.15 million flood victims were provided immediate medical aid, insulin, and anti-snake bite vaccines. Drone imaging technology was used to rescue thousands trapped in remote areas. She stressed that while Punjab worked in crisis, opponents engaged in political point-scoring. “I will never apologize for protecting Punjab’s dignity. Nations are built on self-respect and I will safeguard Punjab’s pride at all costs.”

The Chief Minister also highlighted Punjab’s cooperation with other provinces, recalling her direct call to KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur offering support during cloudbursts. At the same time, she warned political rivals against mocking Punjab’s struggles, vowing a “befitting reply” to baseless criticism.

International participants, including delegates from Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, China, Britain, and the US, praised Punjab’s development and welfare projects under Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s leadership.

With ambitious infrastructure plans, pro-people policies, and a strong message of dignity and resilience, Maryam Nawaz Sharif projected Punjab as a rising model of governance, promising to elevate it to global standards in the coming years.