Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz addressed the Punjab Assembly amidst opposition clamour to inform the House about her government’s initiatives. She began by stating that the Punjab government had completed 100 days in office, while the opposition raised slogans of “Zulm ke ye zaabte, hum nahi maante.” Addressing the opposition, Maryam Nawaz advised them to sit down or risk getting sore throats.
She highlighted that her government had presented its first budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, claiming it to be the largest budget in the history of Punjab. She also emphasized that no new taxes were imposed on the people of the province for the first time. The chief minister acknowledged that summarizing her government’s work in the first 100 days was challenging within a single budget speech. She pointed out that the opposition members were under pressure and had grievances to express. Reminding the House of the legacy of past chief ministers like Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif, she stressed the double challenge she faced in running the government.
Maryam Nawaz criticized the former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government for focusing on revenge rather than serving the nation. She remarked on the conditions provided to Imran Khan in jail, ensuring there was no abuse, and highlighted that development plans would commence following budget approval. She praised the young and educated cabinet, promising that budget promises would be fulfilled within a year. She asserted that her government was making unprecedented investments in health and education. Maryam claimed that inflation had significantly reduced, leading to relief for the people, and that essential goods like flour, bread, sugar, ghee, and vegetables had become more affordable. She also noted the resumption of free medicine in hospitals.
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Highlighting the issue of corruption, Maryam said she had inherited a Punjab where bribery was rampant. She proudly mentioned that the price of roti had been reduced and uniformly implemented across the province, contrasting with other provinces. She challenged the opposition to lower roti prices in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The chief minister discussed her administration’s dedication, working 18-hour days, and the positive feedback from Punjab residents. She introduced the ‘Maryam Ki Dastak’ program, which delivers services to people’s doorsteps, including a historic Rs30 billion Ramazan package and health facilities.
Maryam emphasized the use of key performance indicators for deputy commissioners and commissioners, fostering a culture of competition among district administrations. She announced a Rs400 billion package for farmers, providing interest-free loans and funds for seeds and medicines, promising prosperity for farmers. In modernizing agriculture, the government is subsidizing threshers and super seeders for farmers and starting agriculture solarization. Maryam also highlighted plans to launch high-standard schools and the Nawaz Sharif Children’s Library Complex in Lahore.
The chief minister announced the ‘Himmat Card’ for the handicapped, providing financial support and wheelchairs, and a ‘free milk’ program for children in government schools. She revealed plans to restart the laptop scheme and partner with Google International to impart digital skills to over 300,000 children annually. Additionally, she mentioned converting school grounds into community sports grounds and starting the largest tractor scheme in history with Rs30 billion. Maryam asserted her determination not to be blackmailed and announced the arrival of two air ambulances for Punjab.
