Qudrat Ullah

Punjab’s journey through 2025 has unfolded as a year in which governance was not merely asserted but demonstrated. Under Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the administration steadily moved away from ceremonialism toward a results-oriented approach that placed citizens’ everyday needs at the centre of policy. The tone of governance was purposeful, defined by urgency in delivery, institutional reform and a conscious effort to rebuild public trust in the state’s capacity to serve. In a province as large and complex as Punjab, that shift alone carries political and social significance.

The most visible impact of this approach has been in the areas of social welfare and housing, where the government addressed one of the most pressing concerns of middle- and low-income households: securing shelter. Through Apni Chhat Apna Ghar, families were offered interest-free loans on manageable monthly instalments, transforming home ownership from a distant aspiration into a realistic possibility. Alongside this, Apni Zameen Apna Ghar provided free residential plots to landless citizens, particularly in underserved districts. These initiatives did more than construct houses; they restored stability, encouraged long-term planning and reinforced the idea that the state can be a partner in personal progress rather than a distant authority.

The broader social protection framework reflected a similar sensitivity to dignity and inclusion. Programs such as the Himmat Card for persons with disabilities and the Bewa Sahara Card for widows offered predictable financial support coupled with access to essential services. Rather than treating vulnerability as a footnote, these initiatives acknowledged it as a central policy concern. The Punjab Dhee Rani Program, aimed at supporting underprivileged families during marriages, further demonstrated an understanding of social realities where cultural obligations often impose heavy financial strain. By addressing these pressures directly, the government reduced social stress while preserving respect and honour for beneficiaries.

Agriculture remained a cornerstone of the provincial agenda in 2025, approached not as a legacy sector but as one requiring modern solutions. The Kisan Card expanded farmers’ access to interest-free credit tied to agricultural inputs, reducing dependence on informal borrowing and increasing productivity. Mechanisation initiatives such as the Green Tractor Scheme and the establishment of Green Agri Malls provided farmers with modern tools, quality seeds and fertilisers at regulated prices. Equally significant was the solarisation of agricultural tube wells, a reform that lowered operational costs for farmers while aligning the sector with environmental sustainability. These interventions collectively signalled a shift from short-term relief toward long-term resilience in rural economies.

Energy reforms extended beyond agriculture to households as well. Free and subsidised solar panel schemes for low-consumption consumers addressed both affordability and energy security. At a time when rising power costs have strained household budgets, these measures offered tangible relief while promoting clean energy adoption. They also underscored a policy direction that views environmental responsibility as compatible with economic pragmatism rather than in conflict with it.

Education and youth empowerment stood out as defining themes of the year. The Honhaar Scholarship Program removed financial barriers for high-achieving students, covering tuition and transport costs across public and private institutions. The Punjab Laptop Scheme 2025 emerged as a particularly consequential intervention. By providing free laptops to deserving students, the Punjab government took a decisive step toward bridging the digital divide. The program aims to improve digital literacy and help students achieve academic success by granting access to modern technology, recognising that competitiveness is inseparable from digital access. Complementing this, the CM Internship Program and the E-Bike Scheme addressed employability and mobility, reinforcing the idea that education policy must engage with real-world constraints faced by students.

Healthcare reforms in 2025 reflected both ambition and structural clarity. Administrative integration of health-related departments sought to reduce duplication and improve service coordination. On the ground, expanded community clinics, upgraded hospitals, and the launch of specialised facilities in oncology and cardiology improved access to care. The introduction of air ambulance services for emergency evacuations in remote areas marked a significant step toward equitable healthcare delivery, ensuring that geography does not determine survival.

Public service delivery underwent a quiet but meaningful transformation. The Dastak Program, which delivers essential government services directly to citizens’ doorsteps through a digital platform, challenged the long-standing culture of bureaucratic snafus. By reducing procedural friction and human discretion, it strengthened transparency and efficiency. Meanwhile, the Suthra Punjab campaign addressed sanitation and waste management at scale, recognising that governance credibility is shaped as much by cleanliness and order as by grand development projects.

As the year progressed, the government’s focus on inclusion became increasingly visible, particularly in its engagement with non-muslim Pakistanis. In 2025, the Punjab government made deliberate efforts to celebrate diversity and promote interfaith harmony. The launch and expansion of the Minority Card provided quarterly financial assistance to underprivileged minority families, offering concrete economic support rather than symbolic reassurance. Budgetary allocations for minority welfare were significantly enhanced, scholarships for minority students were expanded, and job quotas were actively reaffirmed.

With Christmas approaching, the provincial government’s outreach to the Christian community has carried particular resonance. Official celebrations, public messages from the chief minister, special grants, and support for Churches and community institutions have reinforced the message that religious minorities are equal stakeholders in the social fabric. These gestures, backed by policy and funding, signal a governance philosophy that views inclusion not as an obligation imposed by law but as a strength that enriches society.

What ultimately distinguishes Punjab’s performance in 2025 is coherence. Welfare schemes, economic reforms, service delivery innovations and minority inclusion initiatives appear interconnected rather than isolated. There remains no shortage of challenges, yet the direction is clear. Performance monitoring, accountability and continuous oversight have become part of the governance vocabulary, suggesting that political ownership now extends beyond announcements to outcomes.

As Punjab prepares to enter a new year, the legacy of 2025 lies in its reframing of expectations. Citizens have seen that governance can be responsive, inclusive and practical. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s year in review is not defined by a single flagship project, but by a sustained effort to align state capacity with public need. In that alignment lies the promise of a more confident, cohesive and forward-looking Punjab.

The writer is a Lahore-based public policy analyst and can be reached at [email protected]