LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari has said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the province of Punjab has set new examples of development, welfare and better governance. “The annual performance of the Punjab government is practical evidence of public trust, transparency and ground-based planning,” Azma said, adding: “Maryam Nawaz Sharif initiated 90 flagship projects in one year which have not only moved beyond paperwork and taken practical shape, but the public is also directly benefiting from them.” While addressing a press conference at DGPR regarding the annual performance of the Punjab government, she said that the policy of including every segment of society — farmers, students, workers, youth and women has placed Punjab ahead of other provinces in the journey of development. She said that electric buses, the Green Buses, electric bikes, Suthra Punjab, Apni Chahat Apna Ghar, Asaan Karobar Card and the Kissan Card are such flagship programmes of Maryam Nawaz Sharif that have opened new doors of convenience, employment, education, transport, environment and economic progress. Due to these projects, Punjab today holds an advantage over other provinces in services, reforms and sustainable development. Azma Bokhari said that Sohail Afridi is a respected guest and the Punjab government stands by its tradition of hospitality, political decency and respect. However, seriousness and responsibility should have been reflected in his statements and manner, which, regretfully, was not seen. She said that we believe in positive politics and practical performance, not in lies, accusations and unserious statements. Azma said that the year 2025 is reaching its conclusion and this year has proved to be a year of Punjab’s development, public welfare and political stability. She said that the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif received appreciation at national and international levels, which further strengthened the positive identity of the province. She said that the law and order situation in Punjab improved significantly, effective operations were conducted against criminal groups and drug-seller networks were dismantled. To enhance the capacity of the police, modern equipment, drone technology, anti-drone systems, thermal devices and operational vehicles were provided so that the safety of personnel could be ensured, she added. “For the first time in Punjab, drone technology is being used for rapid access to crime scenes, evidence collection and operational assistance, while special armoured vehicles were purchased for operations in Kacha areas,” she said, adding: “Operations will continue until the Kacha area is completely cleared and no hideout for criminal elements remains safe.” Azma Bokhari said that under the “Suthra Punjab Programme”, Lahore’s old waste depot Lakhodair is being converted into a Waste-to-Energy Zone, where a 50-megawatt power plant will be installed, which will be the first major step in the province towards energy generation from waste. She said that according to initial data, there has been notable improvement in the sanitation system and waste management infrastructure is active. She stated that the completion of 126,000 houses to date under the ‘Apni Chahat Apna Ghar’ project, along with the steadily rising number of ongoing constructions, stands as strong evidence of Punjab’s commitment to social welfare. She said that special priority has been given to widows, minorities and low-income citizens, which is an exemplary model in Pakistan’s social protection system. She said that the transport infrastructure in Punjab is entering a new phase, where the Orange and Red Line projects in Faisalabad, and the announcement of connecting Gujranwala to the metro network, will bring important change to urban mobility. Azma Bokhari further said that under the “Asaan Karobar” scheme, interest-free loans worth billions of rupees were given in six months, in which women and youth have a major share. Laptops and scholarships are being distributed to students, 1,500 electric buses are operational across Punjab, Rs250 billion have been provided under the Kissan Card, Green Tractors and Super Seeders have been distributed. The Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital is going to start its services in January, while work has begun at the Sargodha Cardiology Hospital, which will soon be inaugurated by Maryam Nawaz, she added. She added that small businesses and employment opportunities are increasing rapidly across the province due to these initiatives. She said that the inauguration of the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital, Sargodha Cardiology Hospital, District Medical Facility Lahore, and new burn units in Rahim Yar Khan and Narowal will be the foundation of a new health policy, while 4,300 successful heart surgeries of children are a historic milestone in Punjab’s healthcare sector. Azma Bokhari said that hospitality is a tradition of Punjab, and we welcomed ministers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the same dignity; however, some non-serious remarks and inappropriate language caused regret. Responding to questions, she said that misbehaviour, scuffles and indecent language in the Punjab Assembly stained the democratic atmosphere, while the government showed restraint and decency at every level. She said that the scrutiny committee of Journalist Housing Society Phase-II is completing its work, after which the Chief Minister will issue allotment letters. She condemned the unpleasant incident involving journalists and said that the dignity and protection of the media is the government’s priority. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025