Under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Punjab has entered a new era of rapid, visible development—especially in road infrastructure, public services, and clean water access. Her administration’s hallmark? Delivering results, not just rhetoric.
Anyone from Rahim Yar Khan to Rawalpindi will probably tell you that they have never witnessed development in Punjab move so quickly. Under the direction of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, 2025 has turned into a year of noticeable change, with pothole-filled roads becoming smooth, traffic jams dissipating, and long-delayed public projects finally getting underway.
It all began with a pledge: outcomes, not platitudes. As promised, Maryam Nawaz launched what she called a development campaign that broke all previous records. Punjab saw the completion of 1,214 routes and an astounding 12,000 kilometers of roadways in a single year. And this was just the start. By the end of 2025, the province plans to have upgraded 18,700 kilometers of roads, making it the largest road development project in Punjab’s history.
There are significant changes in Rawalpindi when you drive through it today. It was “miraculous,” according to a local near Adiala Road, who joked that it seemed as though jinns had constructed the new flyovers overnight. That feeling of wonder isn’t unfounded. Maryam Nawaz only last month officially opened the GPO Underpass and the Nawaz Sharif Flyover, two major projects in Rawalpindi. The flyover, which took only 120 days to build, is anticipated to handle close to 80,000 vehicles every day. In an even shorter amount of time—just 114 days—the Mall Road underpass was finished, turning a formerly congested section into a signal-free passageway that can now handle 200,000 vehicles daily.
In addition to these achievements, the long-awaited ambition of the Rawalpindi Ring Road is accelerating. The project is expected to reach its December 2025 goal with over 50% of the work finished. Locals have started to see noticeable improvements in public services as well as on the roadways.
For example, education has not been abandoned. The whole Rawalpindi Division’s schools are being completely renovated with the intention of giving pupils hygienic, well-equipped learning spaces. In the meantime, the government has transformed more than 1,250 basic health facilities into mini-hospitals, especially in Punjab’s rural areas, providing long-overdue accessible care.
Clean drinking water has emerged as a major priority. Maryam recently announced a Rs 50 billion plan to guarantee water security throughout the province, with a focus on underprivileged regions in Potohar and South Punjab. The plan calls for building minor dams and installing pipes, which she claims will provide a steady supply of water for many years to come.
At the same time, 149 tehsils have shown an increase in the Suthra Punjab cleanliness program. More than 21,000 street cleaning machines have been in operation since late 2024, aided with a geotracking system and a hotline (1139) that locals can utilize to report waste problems. There is a noticeable difference: both urban and rural areas have cleaner streets, less waste, and improved hygiene.
This Muharram, Maryam Nawaz’s dedication to societal harmony was also evident. She expressed gratitude to local authorities and law enforcement for maintaining order and cleanliness throughout the Ashura processions. With religious leaders praising the administration and no significant events being recorded, it was perceived as being well-prepared rather than merely reacting.
The funding source for all of these initiatives is the Punjab budget for 2025–2026, which was the biggest in the province’s history. The government secured significant financing for roads, education, water, and welfare programs with a total expenditure of Rs 5.3 trillion, of which Rs 1.24 trillion was allocated for development alone. This year’s budget is clearly visible on project deadlines and delivery tracking, unlike previous years.
“Our goal is not just to make announcements—it’s to finish the work,” as Maryam Nawaz frequently states. Furthermore, Punjab’s success is no longer just on paper in 2025. It can be seen in the streets, in hospitals, schools, and in the lives of regular people who, for once, witness the visible results of their taxes.