WHEN Maryam Nawaz Sharif took the oath as Pakistan’s first woman chief minister of Punjab on Feb 26, 2024, she inherited the responsibility of governing a province that accounts for more than half of Pakistan’s population and nearly 60 percent of its economic output. The challenge extended beyond routine administration. It demanded restoring public confidence through efficient governance, expanding social protection, embracing digital transformation and accelerating infrastructure-led economic growth. Over the past two years, the Punjab government has pursued a governance model centered on citizen service delivery, institutional modernization and technology-enabled governance. Rather than relying solely on conventional welfare programs, the provincial government has sought to integrate digital governance, targeted subsidies, urban renewal, transport moderni-zation and public health into a broader framework of inclusive development. One of the government’s defining features has been its emphasis on citizen-centric governance. Through flagship initiatives such as Maryam Ke Dastak, public services are increasingly delivered at citizens’ doorsteps instead of requiring visits to government offices. Sup-ported by the Punjab Information Technology Board, the initiative represents a shift toward proactive service delivery and digital government, reducing bureaucratic hurdles while improving transparency and accessibility. Punjab has simultaneously strengthened its digital public........

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