Maryam Nawaz Directs DCs to Visit Punjab Colleges
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed deputy commissioners across Punjab to visit Punjab colleges and universities in their districts and brief students on the provincial government’s development projects and schemes.
“All DCs must visit universities and colleges to brief students on ongoing development projects and schemes initiated by the government,” the chief minister said while chairing a meeting on the performance of deputy commissioners in Lahore on Thursday.
The move is an unusual step. It tasks senior civil servants with presenting the government’s performance directly to young people, rather than leaving the job to ministers or party workers.
Visit Punjab colleges: a push to win over young voters
An insider told Dawn the move is a bid to woo largely pro-PTI youth. The PML-N government, and Ms Maryam in particular, has been focusing on engaging students and projecting its performance through visits to educational institutions in Punjab.
A senior PML-N leader put the thinking in plain terms. “There’s a clear understanding within the party that a large segment of the youth supports jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. The PML-N, particularly Maryam Nawaz, is therefore making a concerted effort to win them over by highlighting the government’s performance,” the leader told Dawn.
Asked whether sending DCs to colleges would change students’ political preferences, the leader said the initiative would at least give students a chance to learn about the government’s “massive” development work and pro-student initiatives, in contrast to the performance of the previous PTI government led by Usman Buzdar.
The province has also launched a large laptop distribution scheme for students, part of the same effort to build support among the young. Punjab has run free training schemes for young women as well. At the federal level, the prime minister’s Chromebook scheme aims to reach 500,000 students, and students can apply through the IBCC portal.
District economic plans and a halt to stubble burning
The chief minister also directed the DCs to prepare a “District Economic Plan” for their areas, aimed at promoting economic activity and using the development potential of each district.
She ordered a complete halt to the burning of crop residues and warned officials in Okara and other districts over their failure to prevent such incidents. Stubble burning is one of the contributors to the smog that chokes Lahore each winter. A recent report found the city’s air pollution is a year-round problem, not just a winter one.
Three days to fix hospitals, and a long list of orders
Ms Maryam expressed displeasure over delays and substandard work on beautification projects in several districts. She said quality, sustainability and timely completion must remain the administration’s priorities, and directed officials to include fountains and similar features in beautification schemes.
She ordered the formation of dedicated squads for road maintenance, which are to inspect sites and take corrective measures within 12 hours. She also directed officials to keep streetlights working, manholes covered and zebra crossings clearly marked, and to improve safety arrangements around schools.
The DCs were given three days to improve conditions at public hospitals in their districts, with daily visits to health facilities. Assistant commissioners were tasked with restoring non-functional water filtration plants and ensuring the repair, maintenance and cleanliness of general bus terminals and Green Bus shelters.
The chief minister ordered a province-wide operation against encroachments, the removal of wall chalking, torn banners and publicity material from public spaces, and measures to control the stray dog population across Punjab.
Dawn reported the chief minister’s directions on Thursday.
Frequently asked questions
What has Maryam Nawaz asked deputy commissioners to do?
She has directed all deputy commissioners in Punjab to visit universities and colleges in their districts and brief students on the government’s development projects and schemes.
Why is the Punjab government reaching out to students?
A PML-N leader told Dawn the party knows a large segment of young people support Imran Khan, and the government wants to win them over by showing its performance and pro-student work.
What is the District Economic Plan?
It is a plan each deputy commissioner must prepare for their district, aimed at promoting economic activity and using the area’s development potential.
What deadlines did the chief minister set for hospitals?
Deputy commissioners were given three days to improve conditions at public hospitals in their districts, and were told to visit health facilities daily.
