When a family loses someone in a public hospital, grief has rarely been their only burden. For years, the task of transporting a body home fell to private ambulance operators who charged whatever they could – with no regulation, no oversight and no alternative. Bereaved families, often in shock, had little choice but to pay. […]
When people move, cities change
Punjab’s public transport network has crossed a historic milestone, with over 1.14 million passengers using free transit services in a single day – the highest daily ridership ever recorded in the province. The figure, logged on April 8, is the clearest signal yet that the Punjab government’s decision to eliminate fares across its metro, bus […]
Austerity with compassion
Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has responded to the escalating global economic crisis with one of the most ambitious relief packages in the province’s history – a sweeping intervention that makes public transport free, subsidises farmers and motorcycle owners, and stabilises the logistics sector in a single coordinated move. The package reflects a governing […]
The old city is coming back
Lahore has always known what it is. The question, for a long time, was whether its institutions knew it too. The Lahore Heritage Areas Revival, known as LAHAR, is the clearest answer yet. Under Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the program commits an estimated Rs 50 billion across phased interventions, treating the old city […]
Government at your doorstep
For decades, interactions between citizens and government in Pakistan were marked by long queues, excessive paperwork and the frustration of navigating multiple offices for routine services. Obtaining a certificate or registering a complaint often meant losing valuable working hours, while businesses faced prolonged approval processes that discouraged investment. In Punjab, efforts are underway to change […]
Inclusive Punjab
Punjab’s prosperity cannot be realized while parts of its population remain systematically excluded. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif-led government appears to have internalised this foundational truth of developmental governance. Over the past two years, Punjab has architected one of the most expansive social protection frameworks, a constellation of targeted, data-driven programs designed to empower persons […]
Punjab’s AI roadmap for South Asia’s tech lead
The global race for artificial intelligence is no longer confined to traditional technology hubs such as Silicon Valley or East Asia. Around the world, governments are recognizing that the next phase of economic growth will be driven by data, algorithms and digital innovation. In this evolving landscape, the approval of Punjab’s first provincial Artificial Intelligence […]
Austerity for stability
In periods of uncertainty, the resilience of a state is measured not only by its strategic preparedness but also by the discipline and collective responsibility demonstrated by its citizens. As global tensions intensify and economic pressures grow, the Government of Punjab’s decision to introduce extraordinary austerity measures reflects an attempt to stabilise the provincial economy […]
Digital Governance as Economic Policy
For decades, governance reform in Pakistan was largely treated as an administrative matter, improving paperwork, reducing bureaucratic delays and streamlining service delivery. Globally, however, the policy conversation has evolved. Digital governance is no longer viewed merely as bureaucratic modernisation; it is increasingly recognised as a component of economic policy. Governments that digitise public administration strengthen […]
Punjab’s electric leap
Punjab has entered a new phase of technological and environmental reform with the launch of the country’s first e-taxi scheme by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. More than a transport initiative, the programme signals a strategic pivot toward clean mobility, digital governance and innovation led economic growth. At a time when global economies are accelerating […]