LAHORE: Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb says Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has reinforced the principles of hard work, transparency, good governance, and merit established by Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Taking part in the budget discussion in the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday, she highlighted the economic revival of Punjab, which had been “paralysed” for several years, under Maryam Nawaz’s leadership.
She said the current budget is a reflection of practical performance, with Punjab presenting its largest-ever development budget. She noted the launch of 3,000 new projects, a restructured donor loan model reducing debt payments by 90pc, and the operationalisation of zero-tax models in 19 districts.
Referring to significant allocations for education, health, agriculture and livestock sectors, she said for environmental protection, the “Clean Punjab” programme has established a systematic waste collection system. She also noted unprecedented work in forestry, fisheries, and wildlife, including AQI monitoring zones, confiscation of plastic, vehicle emission inspections and the establishment of Punjab’s first Climate Observatory.
Forest geographic mapping and an internationally standardised fire control force have been introduced. Eco-tourism is being promoted with the development of Changa Manga, a new zoo in Bahawalpur and the country’s largest shrimp cultivation project, initially covering 5,000 acres with plans for expansion to 40,000 acres, she said.
Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2025
