LAHORE: Announcing 2026 as the “Year of Youth,” Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif reaffirmed provincial the government’s commitment to public welfare, prosperity and accelerated development in the province. Extending greetings to the nation, the CM offered prayers for the well-being of the country and its people. She expressed the hope that the new year would bring peace and security not only to Pakistan but to the entire world, and that Allah Almighty would bless the people of Punjab with happiness and prosperity. Maryam Nawaz Sharif said she prayed for every young person in Pakistan to move forward on the path of progress and success, expressing optimism that 2026 would prove to be even better than the previous year, spreading joy and hope across society. Highlighting the performance of her government, the chief minister said that all promises made to the people in 2025 were fulfilled and that the momentum of development and prosperity would continue in the new year. She stated that more than 120,000 houses were constructed in 2025, while over 20 million patients received treatment at their doorsteps through field hospitals and clinic-on-wheels services. In her New Year message, the chief minister added that financial assistance for the rehabilitation of flood affectees was successfully provided, while Punjab’s youth benefited from the distribution of laptops and the award of Honahar Scholarships. The chief minister noted that the two phases of providing 20,000 tractors to farmers were nearing completion, with a further 10,000 tractors to be distributed. Outlining key initiatives for the coming year, Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that 2026 would bring several major public welfare projects, including the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital, Sargodha Cardiology Institute, and Jinnah Cardiology Centre, among other development initiatives. She expressed confidence that, with the grace of Allah, the journey of development and prosperity that began in Punjab in 2024 would gain even greater momentum in 2026. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026