Country on path to development: Marriyum

LAHORE : Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif will be the chief guest at the opening ceremony of Horse and Cattle Show on Sunday (today).

This was announced by the Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, accompanied by Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bukhari, in a press conference here on Saturday.

This grand event will highlight Punjab's rich cultural heritage and symbolise the province’s continued progress and prosperity. The event has been in preparation for the past four months, bringing together the diverse colours of Punjab.

During the press conference, the Senior Provincial Minister stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the country was on the path to development. The minister stated that Pakistan was progressing, and the public has rejected the politics of chaos and division. She said the people of Punjab have dismissed false narratives and disorder, and now even the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa demand development instead of hate-driven politics.

She emphasised that the previous government’s incompetence and corruption had nearly pushed the country into bankruptcy, but Pakistan Muslim League-N (PMLN) successfully stabilised the economy through strategic policies. Inflation has dropped from 30pc to 4pc, bread prices have decreased, foreign relations have improved, and agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have been restored.

Significant progress has been made in the education sector, with 50,000 scholarships awarded to students. Additionally, subsidised solar programmes, e-bikes, and laptop schemes are being implemented. In terms of infrastructure, 900 new roads have been completed, and urban and rural health units have been established according to international standards. Government initiatives have also led to a reduction of 90,000 hospital admissions, while construction continues on the Nawaz Sharif Cardiology Hospital in Sargodha, she said.

To improve environmental sustainability, plastic bags under 75 microns have been banned, and 103 tons of plastic waste are being converted into furniture for schools and hospitals. In Punjab, 30 air quality monitors (AQI) have already been installed, with the number set to increase to 60 by March. In the agriculture sector, farmers have received 60% subsidies on super seeders while a tractor scheme has also been introduced. Farmers are benefiting from Rs. 40 billion worth of Kisan Cards, the minister added.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif was dedicated to public service, and Punjab was witnessing exemplary growth under her leadership, the minister said.

‘The Horse and Cattle Show was set to be a family event featuring culture, literature, and the vibrant colors of Punjab. Eighty local and fourteen national teams will participate, turning it into a grand national celebration.

The public can enjoy the event live on TV channels from their homes. The minister concluded that PML-N’s performance was the ultimate response to the politics of misinformation and instability, and this momentum of development will continue in the future.