Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced the establishment of Parks and Horticulture Authorities (PHA) in every city across the province and ordered the revival of traditional festivals. During a meeting with members of the Sahiwal Division Assembly, CM Maryam Nawaz was praised for launching public welfare projects. She directed the immediate operationalization of a cardiology block in Sahiwal, completion of the medical college faculty, and the creation of Dolphin Force units in every city. Additionally, she ordered the swift restoration of Baba Farid Ganj Shakar's shrine. CM Maryam Nawaz emphasized that significant improvements are underway across all sectors. She reassured the public that no appointments had been made through favoritism, and that a new department dedicated to price control had been established, bringing inflation down for the first time through the government’s efforts. Addressing the unpopular decision to refrain from purchasing wheat, she explained that although it was criticized, the move led to lower flour and bread prices.

“Increasing wheat prices doesn’t benefit farmers, but it makes bread more expensive for the public,” she said, adding that her decisions aim to minimize the burden on citizens. Maryam Nawaz highlighted her commitment to monitoring prices based on ground realities, noting that Punjab is the only province where bread prices remain at 12 to 14 rupees. She also mentioned that the new KPI scorecard for Deputy Commissioners includes every aspect of public service. The CM revealed that the administration is working long hours to serve the public. The government received 900,000 applications for the farmer card, which will soon be activated, offering loans up to 150,000 rupees. She added that the Farmer Internship Program, which will offer expert advice to growers, is also in the pipeline. On housing, Maryam Nawaz announced an expansion of the "Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar" scheme, aiming to provide over 500,000 homes.

She also introduced a groundbreaking housing loan program that will provide loans on mere ownership documents and ID cards, without raising monthly installments beyond 14,000 rupees. Further initiatives include the inclusion of private hospitals and surgeons in the Children’s Heart Surgery Card, offering financial aid through the "Himmat Card," and issuing minority support cards for widows and low-income minority citizens. The CM noted that only Punjab is reducing transport fares following a drop in petroleum prices, and 600 roads across the province are being restored. She set an ambitious target for commissioners to achieve zero waste in the coming months. Additionally, she mentioned efforts to clean up neighborhoods after a decade of neglect and instructed police officers to engage more directly with the public by visiting mosques. Assembly members praised her leadership, noting that inflation was decreasing and that the Pakistan Muslim League (N) is proving to be a genuine ally of farmers, with public funds finally being used for public projects.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan