LAHORE: In a move apparently aimed to win over young students, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the deputy commissioners (DCs) across Punjab to visit universities and colleges in their respective districts and brief students on the ongoing development projects and other initiatives by the provincial government.
The move is an unusual step aimed at enhancing the government’s outreach to students bytasking senior civil servants with presenting its performance directly to young people.
“All DCs must visit universities and colleges to brief students on ongoing development projects and schemes initiated by the government,” the chief minister said while chairing a meeting on the performance of deputy commissioners here on Thursday.
The PML-N government, particularly Ms Maryam, has been focusing on engaging students and projecting its performance through visits to educational institutions in Punjab.
An insider says the move is a bid to woo largely pro-PTI youth
The provincial government has also launched a massive laptop distribution scheme for students across Punjab as part of its efforts to strengthen its appeal among the youth.
“There’s a clear understanding within the party that a large segment of the youth supports jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. The PML-N, particularly Maryam Nawaz, is therefore making a concerted effort to win them over by highlighting the government’s performance,” a PML-N senior leader told Dawn.
Asked whether sending DCs to universities and colleges would help change students’ political preferences, the party leader said the initiative would at least give students an opportunity to learn about the government’s “massive” development work and pro-student initiatives, in contrast to the performance of the previous PTI government led by Usman Buzdar.
Meanwhile, the chief minister also directed DCs to prepare a “District Economic Plan” aimed at promoting economic activity and harnessing the development potential of their respective areas.
She also ordered a complete halt to the burning of crop residues and warned officials in Okara and other districts over their failure to prevent such incidents.
Expressing displeasure over delays and substandard work on beautification projects in several districts, Ms Maryam stressed that quality, sustainability and timely completion must remain the administration’s priorities.
She directed the authorities to incorporate fountains and such other features into beautification schemes.
She also ordered the formation of dedicated squads for road maintenance that would inspect sites and take corrective measures within 12 hours.
The chief minister directed officials to ensure that streetlights remained functional, manholes covered, zebra crossings clearly marked and safety arrangements around schools were improved.
She gave DCs three days to improve conditions at the public hospitals in their respective jurisdictions. The district administration officials should daily visit healthcare facilities, she added.
Assistant commissioners were also tasked with taking immediate steps to restore non-functional water filtration plants, and ensuring the repair, maintenance and cleanliness of general bus terminals and Green Bus shelters.
Ms Maryam ordered a province-wide operation against encroachments and directed officials to remove wall chalking, torn banners and publicity material from public spaces.
She also called for measures to control the stray dog population across Punjab.
Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2026
