There has long been a common perception that annual budgets primarily focus on government expenditures and offer little tangible relief to the public. Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz has effectively dispelled this notion. Since assuming office, she has introduced a governance model centred on public service delivery, setting a new benchmark not only for Punjab but for provincial governments across Pakistan.
The pace and scale of development witnessed in Punjab over the past two years are remarkable. Projects that governments traditionally launch during the final phase of their tenure have been initiated and, in many cases, completed within the first two years of Maryam Nawaz’s administration. Even before becoming Chief Minister, she had established herself as a prominent political figure. However, as a public office holder, she has sent a clear message to political leaders across the country: when people elect you, your foremost responsibility is to address their problems and provide maximum relief.
Under the leadership of Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, the provincial bureaucracy continues to work tirelessly to implement the government’s agenda.
Over the last two years, there has hardly been a sector in Punjab that has not witnessed new initiatives under her leadership. Similarly, there is scarcely any segment of society that has not benefited from government relief measures. During her first year in office, Maryam Nawaz launched more than 70 projects, nearly 50 of which were completed within the same period. In her second year, the number of initiatives surpassed one hundred.
For years, it was widely believed that development spending in Punjab was largely concentrated in Lahore, with educational, healthcare, employment, infrastructure, and transport facilities confined to the provincial capital. Maryam Nawaz has challenged this perception. Today, development projects and modern public transport facilities can be seen from Lahore to Rawalpindi and from Attock to Rahim Yar Khan and Vehari. The Punjab Development Programme stands as a testament to this transformation.
Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman recently presented the provincial budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, with a total outlay of Rs 5.903 trillion.A development budget of Rs 752 billion has been allocated. Similar to the previous fiscal year, when Punjab announced a record development programme, visible progress is expected across the province. Unlike traditional budgets that remain confined to official documents, Punjab’s budget is increasingly evident on the ground.
To improve service delivery, Rs 783 billion has been allocated, representing a 15 per cent increase over the previous year. The education sector has received Rs 750 billion, the healthcare sector Rs 500 billion, and the agriculture sector Rs 91 billion.
In education, the government has achieved several milestones. For the first time, scholarships have been awarded to 80,000 students, while 100,000 laptops have been distributed. Additionally, 240 students from Balochistan have been included in the scholarship programme. Around 27,000 students have received electric bikes. The upgradation of government schools is progressing rapidly, while modern IT laboratories are being established across educational institutions.
A flagship initiative is the establishment of Nawaz Sharif Schools of Eminence. Nearly 300 such schools are planned throughout Punjab. In the first phase, 128 schools have already been completed, while 178 more will be developed in the second phase. These institutions will provide state-of-the-art educational facilities. Having personally visited the newly established Nawaz Sharif School of Eminence in Harbanspura, I believe both Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat should visit this exemplary institution.
The healthcare sector has also undergone a significant transformation. Public hospitals have been upgraded, and Rs 100 billion has been allocated to ensure the provision of free medicines. Patients no longer need to purchase medicines from outside hospitals, while diagnostic tests are increasingly being conducted within hospital facilities.
The agriculture sector has received unprecedented attention. Over the past two years, the government has distributed 21,000 Green Tractors among farmers, while the third phase of the Green Tractor Scheme is already underway. By the end of the current fiscal year, the target is expected to reach 31,000 tractors. Thousands of farmers have received Kissan Cards, while Super Seeders and solarisation projects for tube wells have also been implemented. These initiatives demonstrate the government’s practical commitment to agricultural development.
The Punjab Police has also been strengthened considerably. A budget of Rs 252 billion has been allocated for policing. For the first time, the police force is being equipped with modern weaponry and vehicles. New security posts have been established in border regions, while a Rs 23 billion development package has been announced for riverine areas, which were once considered no-go zones.
The Suthra Punjab Programme has been allocated Rs 150 billion.
This flagship cleanliness initiative has earned recognition at both national and international levels. Provincial governments in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have reportedly sought details of the programme. Importantly, the initiative has generated employment opportunities for more than 100,000 individuals.
In healthcare infrastructure, the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital in Lahore and the Nawaz Sharif Cardiology Hospital in Sargodha are being developed with world-class facilities. Residents of Dera Ghazi Khan will benefit from the establishment of the Kulsoom Nawaz Cancer Hospital, for which Rs 15 billion has been allocated. Similarly, a new Children’s Hospital in Bahawalpur is being established with a budget allocation of Rs 23 billion.
Punjab’s film industry, which had been in decline for years, has also received government support. For the first time, a Film Fund has been introduced, benefiting 30 to 35 senior members of the industry who are now producing new films. The government has also announced the establishment of a Film City in Lahore.
Legislation for the project has already been passed by the Punjab Assembly, and Rs 55 billion has been allocated. The initiative has received widespread appreciation from Pakistan’s artistic community.
In transportation, electric buses have emerged as one of the most visible achievements of the government. These buses are currently operating successfully in more than ten districts, serving hundreds of thousands of commuters daily. Work is progressing rapidly on mass transit systems in Gujranwala and Faisalabad, with Rs 14 billion allocated to each project. Additionally, Rs 164 billion has been earmarked for establishing bus depots at divisional and tehsil levels, while Rs 10 billion has been allocated for the restoration of regional railway tracks.
Environmental protection remains a key priority. To address climate-related challenges, the government is establishing a Climate Observatory with an allocation of Rs 14.5 billion. A Punjab Performance and Energy Excellence Lab is also being created with a budget of Rs 9 billion.
Additional initiatives include strengthening environmental monitoring, data management systems, and improving Lahore’s air quality through an integrated management framework. Rs 1 billion has also been allocated for installing solar systems in government buildings.
These initiatives are being overseen by Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, whose efforts in environmental protection have been widely acknowledged. Her anti-smog measures are increasingly cited as examples when comparing Lahore’s environmental management efforts with those of New Delhi.
The budget also includes Rs 10.7 billion for the Murree Development Programme Phase-II, Rs 8.2 billion for the Lahore Development Plan, and Rs 23 billion for the Punjab Development Programme.
Tourism and heritage conservation have also received substantial attention. Historic buildings across Punjab are being restored, including projects in Lahore’s Walled City and Rawalpindi. Rs 8 billion has been allocated for Rawalpindi’s heritage restoration, Rs 5.6 billion for a new block at the Lahore Museum, Rs 2 billion for tourism infrastructure development, and Rs 12 billion for Lahore’s heritage conservation programme.
Under the “Lehar” initiative, launched in line with Nawaz Sharif’s vision of restoring Lahore’s historic character, major restoration work is underway around Data Darbar and its adjoining commercial areas.
Significantly, shopkeepers have not been forcibly displaced; instead, they have been compensated for their properties.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s governance style reflects a clear vision focused on service delivery and public welfare. Equally noteworthy is the role played by Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari, who has led the government’s communication efforts with determination. Over the past two years, she has effectively defended the government’s policies and countered misinformation and political propaganda.
Under her leadership, the Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR) has introduced a transparent and efficient system for media payments. Media organisations now receive timely payments without having to resort to protests or repeated visits to government offices.
Secretary Information Tahir Raza Hamdani and DGPR Director General Farid Ahmed have also played important roles in strengthening the department’s performance. In the cultural sector, Azma Bokhari has revitalised public engagement through regular events at Alhamra Arts Council and other cultural institutions. Punjab Arts Council Executive Director Mehboob Alam and Alhamra Executive Director Muhammad Nawaz Gondal have contributed significantly to these efforts.
One of the defining characteristics of Maryam Nawaz’s administration is its emphasis on field presence and active governance. Officials are increasingly visible on the ground rather than confined to offices. This approach is exemplified by Special Assistant Salma Butt, who actively oversees the challenging price control portfolio and regularly visits southern Punjab.
The government’s team largely consists of educated and energetic professionals committed to delivering results. Under the leadership of Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, the provincial bureaucracy continues to work tirelessly to implement the government’s agenda. This momentum is largely driven by a Chief Minister who remains closely engaged with every major initiative and consistently follows up on project implementation.
As a result, development activity is visible across Punjab. This, perhaps, is the most significant achievement of the Maryam Nawaz government.
The writer is the PRO of information minister Punjab.