Punjab CM 'unfazed by criticism'

Urges public servants to realise obligation to the country investing in them

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said public service required timely decisions, integrity and the courage to take risks, adding that she remained unfazed despite facing more criticism than praise.

"Every decision taken by the chief minister can bring a change in the lives of millions of people," she said while addressing participants of the Common Training Programme from the Sindh government.

She said the responsibilities of the chief minister's office were demanding, with new challenges emerging every day. She stressed that public officials could not afford to waste time, adding that punctuality and efficient decision-making were essential to governance.

"I proudly say that I am made in Pakistan, educated in Pakistan and live in Pakistan," she said, urging public servants to recognise their responsibility towards a country that had invested in their education, identity and professional development.

She said personal feelings should not influence professional decisions, particularly in positions of authority. Officials must know what decision was required and take it at the appropriate time, she added.

Referring to her political journey, the CM said she had never held an elected office before becoming chief minister and had worked hard to reach her current position. She said public interest took precedence over personal considerations and she did not entertain influence in the appointment of senior officials.

The chief minister cited the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar programme as an example of the government's approach to public welfare, saying it had received the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour in Muscat for its rapid implementation and sustainable low-cost housing model.

She said more than 200,000 housing loans had been disbursed in 18 months and 125,000 houses completed. The scheme, she added, had a recovery rate of 99.9 per cent, with no defaults. She said the government had introduced checks and safeguards because the money being spent belonged to the public.

CM Maryam Nawaz urged citizens to place their trust in the government, describing it as a "new social contract" between the state and the people.

She said merit was the guiding principle in the appointment of district police officers and deputy commissioners, adding that she interviewed candidates for key positions and resisted political pressure and favouritism.

Emphasising the need for a citizen-centred state, she said people in need should not have to stand in queues or repeatedly approach government offices for assistance. Instead, the state should reach out to them.

She cited mobile health services, field hospitals and home delivery of medicines for patients requiring cardiac care, hepatitis treatment and insulin as examples of efforts to bring public services closer to citizens.

The government, she said, was also monitoring essential commodity prices through daily dashboards.

The chief minister highlighted other initiatives, including mobile police stations for women, emergency assistance against harassment, the Dastak app for accessing government services and ambulance services for transportation of deceased patients from hospitals.

She said 700 buses were providing transport services, while women, students and senior citizens could travel free on the electric buses.

The government planned to distribute 100,000 electric scooters among female students next to facilitate their mobility, she added.

On law and order, the CM Punjab stated that the crime rate in Punjab had declined by 70% following the establishment of the Crime Control Department (CCD). She said Safe City Authority cameras were operational across the province and enabled authorities to detect criminal acts within seconds.