PUNJAB Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s four-day visit to China was more than routine diplomacy. It was development diplomacy with a clear provincial goal: bringing home the technology, investment and institutional practices needed to make Punjab more productive, competitive and livable. The visit fits a governance pattern Maryam Nawaz has pursued since taking office — one where development must be visible in better transport, healthcare, agriculture, cleaner cities, digital services and economic security for families.

Punjab, as Pakistan’s largest economic and agricultural powerhouse, is well positioned to lead the country’s next phase of technology-driven growth. Its expanding economic base, vast agricultural potential, industrial capacity and large human-resource pool provide a strong platform for modernisation. China, Pakistan’s largest trading partner and a major source of technology and investment, offers a valuable strategic partnership in this transformation. With Pakistani exports to China gaining momentum, Punjab has an important opportunity to further accelerate this trajectory by developing higher-value products, embracing advanced technologies and strengthening its integration into regional and global value chains. The opportunity is not simply to attract more........

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