The true measure of any government lies in its style of governance and the seriousness with which it addresses the problems of its people. There is a world of difference between delivering speeches filled with promises and providing genuine relief. The injustices suffered by various segments of Punjab’s population between 2018 and 2022 are now being addressed by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. After two years and four months in office, the Punjab government under Maryam Nawaz has ensured that no sector of society has been left without meaningful relief. She firmly believes that the resources of Punjab belong first and foremost to the people of Punjab and must be utilized for their welfare. Agriculture remains the backbone of Punjab’s economy and plays a vital role in Pakistan’s overall prosperity. The reforms introduced in the agricultural sector over the past two years are unprecedented. Farmers themselves acknowledge that Maryam Nawaz has restored their dignity and provided practical support rather than empty promises. Before her tenure, they were accustomed to hearing speeches from government representatives, but meaningful action was largely absent. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has introduced transformative initiatives in both the agriculture and transport sectors. As Pakistan’s most populous province, Punjab requires extensive public investment, and her government has consistently accelerated the delivery of essential services and development projects. No previous administration has provided as much support to farmers as the present government. From Pakistan’s independence until 2022, a total of 20,000 tractors were distributed across Punjab, with the majority allocated during the tenure of Shahbaz Sharif. In contrast, within just two years, the Maryam Nawaz government has distributed 30,000 Green Tractors, offering a subsidy of up to Rs1 million on each tractor. In addition, 1,000 Green Tractors have been provided free of cost to wheat growers. For a farmer, owning a tractor is a transformative asset. Today, 30,000 Green Tractors are operating across Punjab, enabling thousands of farmers to increase agricultural productivity. In the next phase of the programme, another 20,000 Green Tractors will be distributed through a transparent balloting process. Furthermore, an initiative to solarize 8,000 tube wells has been introduced, while 5,000 Super Seeders have been distributed to promote modern and sustainable farming practices. The establishment of Agriculture Malls in Faisalabad, Jhang, Okara and Khanewal has provided farmers with a one-stop facility where all essential agricultural services are available under one roof. As a result of these comprehensive measures, wheat production has increased significantly, and a similar rise in rice production is expected during the current cultivation season. The Punjab government has also prioritized the mobility and empowerment of students. During the first year of her administration, Maryam Nawaz distributed 2,178 electric bikes to students across both urban and rural districts without discrimination. South Punjab has consistently received special attention in all major development initiatives. The Punjab government is not in competition with any other province. Instead, it welcomes every provincial government interested in learning from its successful initiatives. Just as Punjab has distributed 100,000 laptops and awarded 80,000 scholarships to students, it hopes that young people across Pakistan will also benefit from similar opportunities. Today, Maryam Nawaz’s style of governance has become her defining identity, not only across Pakistan but internationally. Punjab has emerged as the only province whose development initiatives have received widespread global recognition. The reason is straightforward: every project is being implemented on the principles of merit, transparency and accountability. Independent public surveys conducted over the past two years have consistently ranked the Punjab government and CM Maryam at the top in terms of governance and public performance. That, above all, remains the most significant achievement of her administration to date.
Azma Bokhari
The writer is Minister for Information and Culture Punjab
