LAHORE: Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Chief Minister of Punjab, has unveiled a series of major development projects during her visit to Mianwali, aiming to turn the district into a model region across education, healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors.
On her arrival, she was greeted with a warm welcome, with flowers presented at various points and a large crowd gathering enthusiastically along the streets to see her off.In her speech, she addressed the residents in the local dialect, calling them “Brothers, sisters, daughters, and women of Mianwali,” and expressed her joy, saying, “Today is a day of happiness.” The audience responded with vigorous slogans and cheers.
She conveyed that although Mianwali may be geographically distant from the main map of Punjab, it is never far from her heart. Despite not being born in Mianwali, she emphasized her deep connection to the district and sent warm greetings from Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to its people.Maryam Nawaz announced plans to establish a Medical College in Mianwali to provide local students with opportunities for medical education, eliminating the need to go to other cities. She also revealed that allied colleges for nursing, health professions, a new agricultural college, and a law college would be set up in the district. Furthermore, she declared that the existing District Headquarters Hospital would be upgraded to a teaching hospital.
She highlighted the recent establishment of a state-of-the-art catheterization lab in Mianwali, offering free treatment for heart-related conditions. “It’s hard to believe that heart patients in Mianwali now receive free care. Patients no longer have to travel to Lahore or Rawalpindi for treatment,” she said.
Sharing a personal story, she mentioned a laborer who was told to wait six months for treatment in Faisalabad, but received care within 24 hours in Mianwali.
She also announced the launch of the Green Bus Service in Mianwali, which provides free transportation for elders, students, and children, with dedicated arrangements for women. She addressed criticism that the Pakistan Muslim League (N) only focused on Lahore, stating that now development projects are happening in every city across the province.
A significant highlight was the introduction of the “Apna Khet Apni Zameen” (Own Your Land, Own Your Field) scheme, which aims to supply land to landless farmers. Under this initiative, 3 million acres of agricultural land will be allocated, with farmers receiving up to 5 acres on a 25-year lease. A Farmer Card will also be issued to help farmers work independently on their land.
She shared that over the past two years, Rs. 250 billion worth of agricultural inputs and subsidies have been provided to 800,000 farmers, including 21,000 tractors, with plans to distribute an additional 10,000 tractors. She pointed out that, in comparison, only 20,000 tractors were distributed over 25 years in previous decades, whereas her government has provided more within just two years, investing Rs. 60 billion in agricultural machinery.
In addition, she highlighted that in the last two years, 150,000 families have been provided with housing, 1.5 million families received ration cards, and during Ramadan, Rs. 10,000 will be given to 4 million households.She further noted that medicines and surgeries are free in Punjab’s government hospitals, and more than 30,000 kilometers of roads have been constructed across the province. Water supply projects are also underway in areas lacking access to clean drinking water.
Wrapping up her speech, Maryam Nawaz expressed confidence that with three more years of opportunity, Punjab’s development would accelerate dramatically. She urged the people to reject fraudulent elements and promised that the province’s cities, villages, and hearts will flourish with progress and prosperity.
