Punjab’s Information Minister Azma Bukhari has stated that after recognition from the United States Congress, the international financial magazine Forbes has also acknowledged the remarkable governance performance of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. According to Bukhari, Maryam Nawaz’s flagship initiative, the Clean Punjab Programme, has successfully captured international attention within just a few months, setting new benchmarks for public administration and urban-rural development in Pakistan.
In an official statement, Azma Bukhari emphasized that Maryam Nawaz is treating the entire province as she would her own home—ensuring systematic cleanliness, modern waste-management mechanisms, and comprehensive sanitation reforms. She noted that the programme has not only transformed city landscapes but has also brought rural areas under the same standards of cleanliness and hygiene, effectively eliminating the long-standing disparity between urban and rural environments. Historically, only upscale city neighborhoods received consistent sanitation services, but under the new programme, the same level of service is now available even in far-flung villages.
Bukhari highlighted that Forbes Magazine has recognized Maryam Nawaz for solving issues that had persisted for 75 years in just a matter of months. The magazine reportedly commended her governance model, describing it as an example from which the world could learn—especially in the domains of environmental sustainability, public cleanliness, and equitable service delivery. The publication noted that the Clean Punjab Programme demonstrated how political will, technological integration, and community involvement can drive rapid and measurable progress.
This acknowledgment follows a recent gesture by members of the U.S. Congress, who wrote a letter praising Maryam Nawaz for her work in modernizing brick-kiln operations and transitioning them toward cleaner, more sustainable energy systems. According to Bukhari, this international appreciation is an indicator that Punjab’s current governance direction is aligned with global environmental and developmental priorities.
The Clean Punjab Programme is being hailed as a transformative initiative that has reshaped municipal standards, streamlined operations of waste-management companies, introduced transparent monitoring systems, and empowered local administrative units to maintain uniform cleanliness levels. From urban commercial hubs to traditionally neglected rural pathways, the programme has visibly improved public hygiene and overall quality of life.
Azma Bukhari insisted that the recognition by Forbes reflects not only Maryam Nawaz’s personal commitment but also Punjab’s successful transition toward a modern governance model—one that emphasizes accountability, innovation, and public participation. She added that international institutions are increasingly viewing Punjab as a case study in effective sub-national governance and rapid public-sector reform.
The minister concluded that the world is now looking at Punjab as an emerging model of cleanliness and administrative efficiency. According to Forbes, governments around the globe are interested in learning from the Clean Punjab Programme, which has demonstrated how even large, diverse regions can be kept clean through targeted planning, continuous supervision, and strong political leadership.
