In a short span of time, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has redefined governance in Punjab by introducing a visionary model of development centred on people, progress, and prosperity. Her leadership embodies both compassion and competence, qualities that have transformed Punjab into a province of renewed hope and inclusive growth.
Soon after assuming charge of her office, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz initiated landmark public welfare programmes, including Dhee Rani, which extends dignity and financial security to newborn girls; Apna Ghar Apni Chha brings low-income families closer to the dream of owning a safe home; and the School Nutrition Programme, which ensures that classroom learning is supported by daily access to healthy meals. Less than two years later, the province has expanded on these initiatives and brought about systematic reform.
Swift justice and property protection
It is in this spirit of continued innovation and citizen empowerment that the Punjab Protection of Ownership Ordinance 2025 stands out as one of the government’s boldest new measures. Under this law, property disputes will be resolved within 90 days, and appeals finalised by special tribunals in the same period. The restoration of possession is guaranteed within 24 hours after judgment, a first in Pakistan’s judicial history. To uphold fairness, dispute resolution committees headed by Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and District Police Officers (DPOs) have been formed in every district. With plans for digital recordkeeping and live streaming, this reform strengthens justice, transparency, and citizen confidence. Beyond adjudication, enforcement could be backed by a dedicated force: authorities are reviewing proposals to engage the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) to swiftly implement recovery orders and reclaim illegally occupied land.
Centres of excellence for special education
True progress is inclusive. Recognising the prevalence of conditions such as autism, Down syndrome, and learning disabilities, which traditional teaching methods often cannot address, the Punjab government has initiated the Centres of Excellence for Special Education across the province. Announced in March 2025, this programme upgrades 28 existing special education schools, with more centres planned for every district. These institutions provide tailored education, healthcare, and skill development for children with special needs, nurturing confidence, independence, and social inclusion. By combining specialised teaching methods, therapy services, and modern facilities, these centres aim to ensure that every child can achieve their full potential regardless of disability. Some of the upgraded centres have already begun operations, marking a ground-breaking step in Pakistan’s inclusive education landscape.
Under the Punjab Protection of Ownership Ordinance 2025, property disputes will be resolved within 90 days, and appeals finalised by special tribunals in the same period.
In Lahore, Pakistan’s first public-sector Autism School reached its final stages of completion in February 2025 and was fully operational by October 2025, with more than 5,000 children enrolled by that time.
As more of these centres come online across the province, Punjab is building a modern, holistic system that combines tailored education, early assessment, speech and occupational therapies, psychological support, assistive technologies, and vocational training. This expanded network especially benefits children from low- and middle-income families who previously lacked access to such specialised care.
These Schools of Excellence embody a forward-looking commitment to dignity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, ensuring that every child in Punjab is supported according to their individual potential.
Empowering youth through technology
Punjab’s youth-focused digital revolution continues to evolve. In November 2025, a high-level delegation from Google for Education and Tech Valley met with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to discuss the establishment of the plant, which is expected to assemble Chromebooks locally, pre-loaded with educational tools such as AI Gemini, “Read Along” for English learning, and Canva for creative projects.
In tandem, the Chief Minister has relaunched the IT Internship Programme, providing young graduates with hands-on experience in leading tech companies and a monthly stipend of Rs 50,000. Together, these initiatives lay the foundation for a digitally empowered, future-ready Punjab, where youth can develop skills locally and contribute to the growing high-tech economy.
Faith, harmony, and social stability
In a historic step toward promoting harmony, the chief minister has directed the creation of mosque management committees in every district. Comprising respected local figures, these committees foster unity and discipline in community affairs. Additionally, Imams will now receive a monthly stipend of Rs25,000, alleviating financial hardships and promoting social respect for religious leaders. Punjab has also completed digital mapping of 56,000 mosques and compiled data, ensuring transparency and security in religious institutions, a measure reflecting administrative foresight and stability.
A weapon-free future with modern drone policing
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif chaired the fourth extraordinary meeting on law and order in October 2025, introducing sweeping reforms to eliminate weapons and smuggling from Punjab. The government approved the Punjab Surrender of Illegal Arms Act 2025, to be executed in three phases — return, destruction, and enforcement — along with verification of one million licensed arms. Only police personnel and registered security guards will be allowed to carry weapons, while private security firms will be strictly regulated and linked to the Punjab Police Helpline 15.
The establishment of Schools of Excellence for Special Children marks a significant evolution in Punjab’s approach to special education.
A pilot project of drone policing will be launched in Lahore for rapid digital response to crime scenes, later expanding across the province. Modern weapon scanners will be installed at 14 key entry and exit points, and arms smuggling will carry up to 14 years imprisonment. These decisive measures have already resulted in a 70 per cent decline in crime, marking Punjab’s historic shift toward smart, technology-driven policing.
Bhakkar police: a model of modern policing
Bhakkar Police has adopted Punjab’s new era of technology-driven law enforcement. Under the leadership of DPO Shehzad Rafiq Awan, and with the guidance of RPO Sargodha and IG Punjab, it effectively used drone surveillance to curb smuggling and ensure public safety. In a recent joint operation with KPK Police, and with vital support from the Crime Control Division (CCD) Bhakkar, the team successfully recovered a four-year-old girl, Zainab, from kidnappers in KPK’s District Karak within 24 hours, using advanced surveillance equipment and coordinated intelligence. The local community and civil society expressed heartfelt gratitude to Bhakkar Police and CCD officials for their timely action, professionalism, and humane conduct.
Beautification and urban renewal
Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision also encompasses clean, liveable, and beautiful cities. The provincial government has banned wall chalking and launched 132 beautification projects worth Rs16.5 billion across 39 districts. These projects include renovation of heritage gates, tuff tile pavements, market and road remodelling, and city wall cleaning. The campaign aims to restore Punjab’s urban aesthetics, blending heritage with modernity and promoting civic pride among residents.
Women’s safety and mobility
Ensuring women’s independence and protection remains a key priority. The introduction of mobile police stations, licensing units, and pink vans for women has revolutionised public mobility and policing. These facilities ensure that women can travel, work, and participate in society with confidence and safety, marking a new era of gender-sensitive governance. Building on that momentum, the government launched the Pink Scooty Scheme in 2025. In Phase I alone, around 7,300 scooties are set to be distributed, as part of a larger first-phase goal of more than 20,000 scooters, prioritising female students and working women across Punjab.
COP30 Climate Conference
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif represented Pakistan at the COP30 Climate Conference in Belém, Brazil, in November, where she inaugurated the Pakistan Pavilion and showcased Punjab’s flagship environmental initiatives. These included Suthra Punjab (waste management), expansion of e-mobility with electric buses, bikes, and taxis, smog reduction strategies, climate-smart farming programs, wildlife and biodiversity protection, and smart environmental monitoring through AI-driven Smog War Rooms and real-time Climate Observatories. She also forged a partnership with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to access carbon financing and announced a Climate Endowment Fund of Rs12.5 billion for long-term sustainability projects.
A vision rooted in compassion and courage
Maryam Nawaz Sharif has proven that her governance fuses innovation, inclusivity, and empathy, making Punjab a model of modern progress. With every reform and every welfare initiative, she is shaping a province that cares for its citizens, empowers its youth, and honours its daughters.
The writer, who holds an M.Phil in English Literature, is an educationist, crime analyst, and youth commentator affiliated with PML-N.
