OPINION: CM Maryam’s Punjab Model: E-governance and a corruption-free system

As the Punjab Government completes two years in office this February, the moment invites a measured assessment of governance under the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif—one grounded not in slogans but in outcomes.

In a province as large and administratively complex as Punjab, the credibility of any government rests on its ability to translate intent into delivery.

Public welfare, transparent development, and institutional efficiency remain the true benchmarks of leadership, and it is against these standards that the Punjab government’s record is increasingly being judged.

Over the past two years, the Punjab Government has pursued a governance model that places technology, transparency, and service delivery at the centre of public administration.

Rather than relying on ad hoc initiatives, the focus has been on structural reforms—particularly through the integration of digital systems across government departments. This shift toward e-governance aims at modernising state institutions, reduce discretionary powers, and align provincial administration with contemporary global practices.

As a result, Punjab’s governance framework is now being referenced by other provinces and examined by policy practitioners beyond Pakistan.

A notable feature of the Punjab government has been its emphasis on execution. While government leaders used to announce projects that stalled at the planning stage, the CM Punjab has prioritised initiatives designed for completion within defined timelines.

The approach reflects a move away from symbolic politics toward measurable performance. Developments in public transport, agriculture, education, and administrative reform point to a governance style focused on visible results.

Central to this transformation has been the recognition that effective governance in the modern era depends on robust digital infrastructure.

Under the direction of Chief Minister Maryam, Punjab’s public institutions have undergone a systematic transition from manual, paper-based processes to integrated digital platforms.

Key administrative functions—ranging from ACRs and leave management to postings, transfers, and pension cases—have been consolidated under the e-Filing and Office Automation System. These reforms have not only improved internal efficiency but also strengthened oversight and accountability.

The introduction of e-FOAS and e-procurement has fundamentally altered the pace and transparency of government operations.

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The traditional file culture, long associated with delays and inefficiencies, has been replaced by paperless workflows that allow real-time tracking and monitoring.

Development projects are assessed against predefined schedules, reducing cost overruns and minimising the lapse of funds. This shift has encouraged a performance-oriented culture within the bureaucracy, reinforcing discipline in both planning and execution.

To further enhance transparency, third-party validation of development schemes has been made mandatory. This mechanism ensures that public funds are utilised not only efficiently but also responsibly.

In parallel, the launch of the e-Biz Portal has simplified regulatory processes for businesses by enabling online acquisition of No Objection Certificates.

By eliminating repeated office visits and discretionary decision-making, the portal has reduced opportunities for corruption while improving the ease of doing business in the province.

Digitization has also reshaped the functioning of the Civil Secretariat and government offices across Punjab.

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The conversion of paper-based workflows into digital systems has generated significant savings in administrative costs while improving record management and institutional memory. Through e-FOAS, files are digitally monitored, and delays are automatically flagged to senior management, allowing timely intervention and corrective action. This level of oversight represents a substantive step toward responsive and accountable governance.

Public procurement reforms have followed a similarly comprehensive path. The entire procurement cycle—from advertisement to bid submission and contract award—has been digitised through e-Tendering.

The system enforces compliance with procurement rules, safeguards data integrity, and minimises human intervention. Open access to tender information and digital bidding has promoted competition and transparency, resulting in notable savings for the public exchequer. To support this transition, 14,216 officials from 6,641 different offices across Punjab have been trained in e-procurement procedures.

At present, 23,302 suppliers are registered on the e-procurement platform, and 843,739 procurement activities have already been completed province-wide, underscoring the scale and institutional depth of the reform. It’s satisfying that the institutional capacity-building has supported these reforms, and the e-procurement platform has emerged as a central pillar of public financial management in Punjab.

At the executive level, governance oversight has been strengthened through the establishment of the Chief Minister’s Dashboard at the Chief Minister’s Office. This digital platform enables real-time monitoring of government projects and initiatives, providing live data to support decision-making, transparency, and accountability.

Continuous oversight through the dashboard allows effective tracking of progress, close scrutiny of project transparency, and timely corrective action, reinforcing accountability at the highest level of government.

Citizen-centric services have also undergone significant reform through the launch of the ‘Maryam Ki Dastak’ initiative, a flagship digital service that delivers more than 76 government services directly to citizens’ doorsteps via a mobile application.

Services that once required repeated visits to government offices—including certificates and official documentation—can now be accessed from home with faster processing. Against a target of 2,747,828 services, 2,272,357 services have already been delivered, reflecting strong public uptake and growing trust in digital service delivery.

Transparency and public access to information have also improved through the rapid development of official government websites. To date, 575 websites of government institutions have been completed across Punjab, strengthening public access to information and institutional visibility.

Alongside this, the Chief Minister’s Complaint Cell operates round the clock, enabling registration, monitoring, and resolution of citizen grievances. So far, 647,652 complaints have been received, of which 626,690 have been resolved, reflecting a more responsive and citizen-focused administrative culture.

Land administration, a historically sensitive area of governance, has also seen substantive progress.

The Punjab Government has completed e-registration of approximately 25,000 mauzas, while 77 percent of mauzas across the province have already been digitised. The target of completing full land record digitisation by August 2026 is expected to significantly reduce disputes, manipulation, and uncertainty in revenue records, marking a decisive step toward long-term institutional reform.

Equally consequential has been the restoration of merit in appointments and transfers. Postings across departments, including the police, are governed by defined criteria and performance indicators.

The chief minister’s direct engagement in evaluating senior officers underscores an emphasis on accountability and professional competence. Officers demonstrating strong performance are formally recognised, reinforcing incentives for integrity and service delivery.

Collectively, these reforms point to a governance philosophy anchored in discipline, transparency, and public service. With a stated policy of zero tolerance for corruption, the Punjab Government has sought to institutionalise accountability rather than rely on individual discretion. As the administration completes its second year, Punjab appears better positioned administratively than it was two years ago—supported by digital systems, clearer rules, and a renewed focus on delivery.

Whether these reforms achieve their full potential will depend on continuity and consolidation, but their direction has already begun to reshape the province’s governance landscape.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026