- Punjab CM tells National Security and War Course delegation transparency is the hallmark of her govt
- Says all appointments now made on 100% merit, political influence eliminated and enumerating major initiatives
- Highlights Punjab’s Rs1 trillion revenue, readiness to share projects with other provinces
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday declared that nepotism had been “completely eliminated” from the province, insisting that her government was making appointments purely on merit and had adopted a policy of zero tolerance towards corruption. She said contracts were being awarded through transparent e-tendering and pledged that “the people’s money will only be spent on the people.”
The chief minister was addressing members of the National Security and War Course delegation, comprising officers of the Pakistan Army, Navy, Air Force, civil services, and 47 participants from 26 countries including the United States, Britain, China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, South Korea, Australia, UAE and Palestine.
مریم نواز سے نیشنل سیکیورٹی اینڈ وار کورس کے افسران اور جوانوں کی ملاقات،مریم نواز کا آپریشن بنیان مرصوص کی کامیابی پر جنرل عاصم منیر اور پاک افواج کو خراج تحسین،مریم نواز نے شرکاء کے سوالات کے جوابات بھی تفصیل سے دیے۔ pic.twitter.com/ARAmxuRfrk
— Saif Awan (@saifullahawan40) October 3, 2025
The delegation appreciated the Punjab government’s welfare initiatives, with even international participants describing them as “surprising and impressive.”
Maryam Nawaz congratulated the armed forces on the success of Operation Banyanum Marsoos, paying tribute to Field Marshal Asim Munir and other military leaders. She told the delegation that Punjab’s governance model was built on “kindness and service to the people,” adding: “Every decision of a ruler impacts the lives of millions. We are accountable for ensuring those decisions are fair, transparent, and people-centred.”
The chief minister stressed that Punjab was free from political favoritism in appointments. “There are no political inductions in Punjab anymore. Nepotism has been rooted out. Every hiring is made after interviews on a 100 percent merit basis,” she asserted. She warned that corruption would not be tolerated under her leadership. “If corruption comes to light, there is no forgiveness. This is the people’s money and must only be used for their welfare,” she remarked.
CM Maryam highlighted Punjab’s transparent governance mechanisms, noting that contracts were awarded purely on merit through e-tendering, while multiple institutions continuously monitored projects as her “eyes and ears.” She said the absence of corruption allegations against her government was itself a significant achievement.
On devolution, she said she was not opposed to local government, stressing that power should be transferred to the grassroots level. “The NFC award is population-based, but provinces must also generate their own resources. Alhamdulillah, Punjab’s revenue has reached one trillion rupees,” she stated, adding that Punjab was willing to share its projects with other provinces. “Balochistan sought assistance in the Safe City project, while Punjab shared its 15 emergency calling system with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” she said.
Discussing water rights, Maryam Nawaz said canal management was a matter for the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and rejected making it a political issue. “What Punjab does with its water is our problem. I will never compromise on Punjab’s rights. My position is clear — canal reforms cannot be politicised,” she asserted.
She also credited her father Nawaz Sharif and uncle Shehbaz Sharif for guiding her political vision, saying she had learned governance from their decades of experience.
Public welfare and development initiatives
The Punjab chief minister outlined a number of initiatives launched under her tenure, including: Suthra Punjab, described as the world’s largest waste management program. The use of thermal imaging drones to identify and rescue flood victims. Mechanisation of Punjab’s agriculture “for the first time in history.”
“Modernisation of health centres to match “European standards,” and installation of a co-ablation machine to provide treatment to cancer patients despite high costs. Import of 15 smog gun machines to tackle environmental pollution. Development of 500 villages in the first phase of rural uplift, with people from other provinces migrating to Punjab in search of better opportunities,” she detailed.
The delegation was also briefed on the Punjab government’s initiatives in social protection, narcotics control, green development, and the Citizen Contact and Development (CCD) project. Participants commended these projects as “forward-looking and innovative.”
Maryam Nawaz assured the visiting officers that Punjab was “a safe province today,” noting improved law and order since she took charge. “This homeland is like our mother earth — deceiving her is intolerable,” she said, reiterating her government’s resolve to continue with transparent, people-first governance.
çiçek