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 […]
Punjab: 730 Days of Good Governance
On Feb 26, 2024, Maryam Nawaz Sharif took oath as Chief Minister of Punjab, becoming the first woman to head a provincial government in Pakistan. Two years on, the province presents a picture of steady administrative change shaped by a focus on delivery, reform and public service. This period has not been without challenges, yet […]
Mechanising farmers’ path to prosperity
Punjab’s agricultural sector is undergoing an important structural transformation, driven by a planned push for farm mechanisation, targeted subsidies and institutional reforms. This initiative, spearheaded by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, transcends simple subsidy distribution; it represents a calculated investment to modernise agriculture, bolster rural incomes and fortify Pakistan’s economic foundations. Agriculture remains a cornerstone […]
Saving children’s hearts forever
The measure of a humane society is found in how it protects its children, especially those standing at the fragile intersection of illness and hope. In Pakistan, congenital heart disease remains one of the most devastating threats to childhood survival. Thousands of families confront a harsh clinical reality each year when their children are diagnosed […]