CM Maryam Nawaz Says Every Day in Office Brings New Challenges, Stresses Public Service

LAHORE:Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said that holding the chief minister’s office is no bed of roses, adding that every day brings new challenges and those entrusted with responsibility often struggle to sleep peacefully at night.

Addressing a meeting with officers of the Sindh Administrative Service, Maryam Nawaz said that although governing was often perceived as an easy task, the reality was quite different. However, she expressed satisfaction that her position enabled her to make decisions capable of changing the lives of millions of people.

She recalled that a journalist had once told her she had been surprised by her performance and had never expected her to become so successful. The chief minister said she received more criticism than praise but did not allow it to bother her. She added that she listened to around 30 phone calls every day before going to sleep.

Maryam Nawaz also highlighted the importance of punctuality and discipline in government offices. Referring to the chief secretary’s observations, she said that in the past, meetings scheduled for 10am would often begin no earlier than 12:30pm.

She said she now made it a point to arrive at her destination by 9:55am if an appointment was scheduled for 10am.

“Doing easy things is easy, but I have refused to adopt that approach,” she said, stressing that meetings scheduled for 10am must begin at the appointed time.

The chief minister added that she had witnessed situations in which around 20 people waited outside the chief minister’s office for two hours. She also criticised some ministers who invited people to meetings but subsequently forgot that they were waiting outside.

Emphasising the responsibility of public officials, Maryam Nawaz said Pakistan had provided its citizens with education, training, identity and respect, and that serving people in the field was now their duty.

She said she had been born, raised and educated in Pakistan and was proud to be Pakistani.

Responding to those who questioned what the country had given them or considered moving abroad, she said Pakistan had given its people dignity and recognition.

“I did not receive my education abroad; my children studied abroad,” she said, adding that whenever she visited another country and was asked about her education, she proudly described herself as “Born in Pakistan, Made in Pakistan.”

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