MARYUM NAWAZ EXCELLENT CHIEF MINISTER IN THE HISTORY OF PUNJAB

Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s Tenure as Chief Minister of Punjab: A Comprehensive Review of Performance, Initiatives and Public Response

Punjab Pakistan’s most populous and politically pivotal province has witnessed a whirlwind of administrative activity since Maryam Nawaz Sharif assumed office as Chief Minister in February 2024. Her rise to the province’s highest political post marked not only a dynastic moment in Pakistan’s political landscape but also the historic emergence of the first Female Chief Minister in the country’s history.

Over the ensuing years, Maryam’s government has unveiled a wide array of initiatives spanning healthcare, education, social welfare, infrastructure, youth empowerment and digital governance. Many of these programmes have won praise from citizens and pundits alike for their ambition and scale, while others have been scrutinized over cost, delivery and political optics.

In this blog post, we explore her performance in a balanced way detailing the key programmes, their impact, public reaction, controversies and the broader challenges that shape her tenure.

1. A Pioneering Political Journey: First Female Chief Minister

Maryam Nawaz Sharif made history when, on 26 February 2024, she was elected as the Chief Minister of Punjab becoming the first woman to hold this office in Pakistan’s most influential province.

Her ascent was lauded by supporters as a breakthrough for gender representation in Pakistani politics, particularly in a region where patriarchal political traditions have long dominated. Advocates saw her leadership as a symbolic and practical stride toward greater inclusivity and empowerment of women in governance.

At the same time, critics have framed her elevation through the lens of dynastic politics, pointing to her family’s established political legacy and questioning if merit or lineage played a greater role in her rise.

Public reaction to her leadership is distinctly mixed. While some segments of the population particularly urban and youth groups express optimism about her vision and energy, others, especially rural voters and political rivals, remain sceptical about both her motives and ability to deliver on lofty commitments.

2. Transforming Healthcare Delivery: Clinic on Wheels & Health Cards

Clinics on Wheels

One of the flagship health initiatives of Maryam’s government is the                                                                                                       “ Clinics on Wheels” project. Launched to bring basic health services directly to communities especially in underserved urban slums and rural areas this mobile healthcare fleet is designed to ensure access to medical consultation, medicines, preventive care and diagnostics at people’s doorsteps.

Reportedly, the deployment of mobile clinics has reached millions of residents across the province, with tracking systems introduced to monitor service quality and daily outreach figures.

Public reception to this programme has been generally positive, with many residents appreciating healthcare access in areas where clinics and hospitals are hard to reach. It has also been highlighted in surveys and promotional materials as a standout initiative that reflects a commitment to universal service delivery.

Health Cards and Additional Healthcare Interventions

In parallel with the mobile clinics, the Punjab government has reintroduced “health-card programmes” with broader coverage for essential treatments. These include specialized care such as heart surgery programmes and dialysis support aimed at reducing out-of-pocket costs for chronic patients.

For example:

“The Chief Minister Dialysis Programme Card” extends free or subsidized dialysis and associated medical tests to patients, with funds allocated up to significant limits.

Special surgeries including organ transplants and heart procedures  have also been prioritized, with focused campaigns to clear surgical backlogs and bring international expertise into provincial hospitals.

These health interventions are broadly viewed as vital in a country where private medical costs often push families into poverty. However, sustained financial backing and systemic integration remain long-term challenges.

3. Education Initiatives: Inclusivity, Digital Monitoring and Special Needs Support Mainstream Education Improvements

Education has featured prominently under Maryam’s leadership, with significant allocations made for infrastructure and enrolment. For instance:

 Major investments in classroom construction, facilities (toilets, water access) and AI computer labs in thousands of government schools have been pledged to bridge the digital divide.

Laptop distributions and scholarship schemes targeted at meritorious students aim to widen participation and skill development.

Additionally, mobile Montessori schools and recognition programmes like “Teacher of the Month” seek to standardize quality and promote accountability within the education ecosystem.

b) Support for Special Needs Education

Punjab’s government has also introduced comprehensive measures to support special needs children. These include:

Employment initiatives and vocational support tailored to special children.

New learning technologies and digital smart rooms in Special Education Centres.

Additional transport, security measures, and ring-fenced budgets to ensure sustained investment in this group.

Moreover, programs integrating digital monitoring and outreach campaigns have been launched to ensure that no child is left out of the formal education system.

These efforts have been widely praised by civil society groups for increasing inclusivity and access to education, although implementation capacity remains under scrutiny.

4. Welfare Programmes: From Ration Cards to Dhee Rani

a) Ration Card Programme

One of the most high-profile welfare interventions has been the Rs:84 billion Ration Card Programme. Designed to offer monthly subsidies to industrial workers and labourers, this scheme utilizes digital solutions (like the JS Bank Zindagi card) to deliver funds and additional benefits, including insurance and rewards.

The programme has been backed as the largest of its kind in Pakistan, intended to cushion low-income households from rising living costs. It reflects Maryam’s broader welfare emphasis on direct support for working-class families.

b) Dhee Rani & Social Welfare Efforts

The Dhee Rani Programme: organizing mass weddings with cash gifts and essential supplies for newly married couples is another creative welfare initiative aimed at easing marriage-related costs for low-income families.

Other significant welfare actions include:

The Himmat Card Programme, giving monthly financial assistance to persons with disabilities.

Special Ramadan provisioning packages to ensure food security during the holy month.

Support funds for youth and small entrepreneurs through business cards and finance schemes.

Collectively, these reflect a welfare philosophy that prioritizes inclusivity and direct financial support to vulnerable groups.

5. Infrastructure: Model Villages, IT Cities and Urban Development

a) Model Villages and Urban Renewal

Infrastructure development is a cornerstone of Maryam’s agenda. Reports suggest that thousands of model villages are being developed across Punjab, aiming to bring essential services, roads and utilities to rural areas.

Urban renewal projects under the Punjab Development Programme (PDP) have approval for significant investments in drainage, sewerage, parks and neighbourhood rehabilitation — with the first phase focusing on dozens of cities.

b) IT Cities & Economic Zones

Perhaps more ambitious is the focus on IT Cities and technological infrastructures, designed to:

Attract foreign investment

Create jobs in tech and education

Develop special economic zones and commercial hubs.

Though early in rollout, these initiatives signal a strategic effort to pivot Punjab’s economy toward innovation and digital services.

6. Claims of Savings and Administrative Accountability

Maryam’s government has publicly claimed record savings through efficient governance, digital monitoring and tighter fiscal controls. According to provincial reporting, her administration emphasises performance metrics, transparency dashboards and accountability reviews to ensure value for public funds.

Supporters argue that these systems have reduced wastage, improved service delivery and strengthened governance culture. Improving revenue performance in traditionally under-performing departments is also cited as evidence of fiscal progress.

However, such claims are contested by opposition figures and critics — who argue that political narratives and public relations efforts sometimes overshadow substantive outcomes.

7. Public Praise and Political Reception

Maryam’s leadership has undoubtedly inspired public conversation. Some opinion surveys have reported that a majority (around 55%) of respondents expressed satisfaction with her government’s performance during its initial months, with particular approval for food-price controls and outreach programmes.

Citizen praise often highlights:

Visible welfare services like ration cards

Mobile health outreach

Support for small-scale farmers and youth

Yet perception varies markedly between urban and rural populations, with rural satisfaction lower than urban counterparts in some surveys.

Internationally, her position as a female leader in a traditionally male-dominated sphere has drawn attention and commentary — both supportive and critical — illustrating wider debates about gender roles in Pakistani politics.

8. Challenges, Criticisms and Inflation Pressures

a) Inflation & Economic Strain

One of the most persistent challenges in Punjab (and Pakistan overall) has been inflation and cost of living pressures. Though some programmes aim to mitigate food prices and support workers, critics argue that welfare subsidies and large-scale spending may not fully offset broader macroeconomic constraints.

b) Political Opposition & Mandate Debate

Opposition parties, particularly the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have questioned the legitimacy of Maryam’s mandate, claiming that election results were contested and that the government’s record is inflated.

c) Media and Public Relations Controversies

Efforts by the provincial government to amplify its achievements — including sponsored media adverts and self-promotion campaigns — have sparked debate about the use of public funds for image building.

These controversies underline the political complexities of governance in a highly competitive provincial landscape.

Conclusion: Performance with Promise and Challenges Ahead

Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s time as Chief Minister of Punjab is characterised by ambitious programmes across health, education, welfare and infrastructure. Her tenure has brought:

Enhanced healthcare access through mobile clinics and specialized support cards.

Broad educational investments and inclusive special needs outreach.

Direct welfare schemes targeting workers, women and youth.

Strategic infrastructure projects with a focus on digital and rural development.

At the same time, her governance faces persistent challenges — from economic pressures and political opposition to public scepticism and implementation bottlenecks.

Whether Maryam’s leadership will be remembered primarily for bold transformation or contested narratives remains entwined with both policy outcomes and evolving public perceptions.

But one thing is certain: her tenure has reshaped the expectations and conversations around governance in Punjab, offering a blend of innovation, political symbolism and contested public debate.