LAHORE: After Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday claimed to have created around a million jobs in the province since she assumed the office about two years ago, questions are being asked as some people demanded an independent audit report to verify her claim while others supported it.

“Since February 2024, Alhamdolillah, a total of 994,036 employment opportunities have been generated across Punjab,” the CM said in a post on X.

She said some 315,536 jobs, in addition to regular government hiring, were created through restructuring and service expansion such as Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics (MNHCs), schools, Suthra Punjab, etc.

“Some 203,000 jobs generated via SME (small and medium enterprises) financing under the Asaan Karobar initiative. (As many as) 475,500 indirect and induced jobs linked to Apni Chhat Apna Ghar, roads, and other construction projects, etc,” she said and added that the government of Punjab remained committed to eradicating poverty, inclusive economic growth and sustainable employment generation. The CM also uploaded a graph in this regard.

Skeptics ask for independent audit report to prove claim

Many on social media asked her to also share some “independent audit reports” to qualify her claim.

“How will the public verify this claim? Where are independent audit reports? Does Punjab hire any independent institution to compile and verify this data. Anyone can make these graphics,” a social media user questioned.

Another user, Nawaz Ansari, said: “Maryam Nawaz: 994K new jobs created in Punjab! Official tally or wishful thinking? Independent stats are missing.”

Dr Farid asked the CM to also tell how many factories and industries closed and how many workers were rendered jobless in Punjab during the last two years.

There are others too who praised Ms Nawaz on social media for coming to expectations of the people. “Our CM working heartily for the betterment of Pakistani nation and people regardless of their political differences,” Shahid wrote in a post on X.

Faisal Ranjah said these were strong numbers as one million jobs were created through direct initiatives of the Punjab government.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government has completed the balloting process to distribute nearly 5,000 cows and buffaloes worth Rs2bn among the rural women in south Punjab.

The e-balloting was conducted on Thursday and names of successful applicants were declared. The initiative is aimed at promoting women’s financial independence and strengthening the rural economy, the government said.

Eligible women have been selected through an e-balloting system managed by the Punjab Information Technology Board to ensure transparency. The programme covers 12 districts of south Punjab. Widowed and divorced women were eligible under the scheme.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2026