Dr Lubna Zaheer
It has now been two years since Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif assumed office. Over this period, she has disappointed many of her critics and political opponents, who had doubted whether governing a province as vast and complex as Punjab was within the capacity of a woman, particularly one perceived to lack substantial administrative experience. Yet, upon taking charge, she demonstrated a level of dynamism and administrative momentum that, in a short span, appeared to outpace even seasoned male administrators.
As she began launching one initiative after another, skeptics dismissed them as little more than paper projects that would take years to materialize. This assumption, too, has been proven wrong. Today, a significant number of the Punjab government’s initiatives are not only operational but delivering tangible results. It is, of course, a matter of fortune that Maryam Nawaz Sharif benefits from the guidance and mentorship of her father, Nawaz Sharif, who has served three terms as Prime Minister. At the same time, it is equally true that the Chief Minister has worked tirelessly for her province. On one occasion, Nawaz Sharif himself remarked that he felt proud to see his daughter surpass him in both performance and administrative vigor as Chief Minister of Punjab.
Historically, the Pakistan Muslim League (N) has been criticized by political opponents for prioritizing roads, highways, and large-scale infrastructure projects: developments that are highly visible to the public. Indeed, whether under Nawaz Sharif as Prime Minister or Shehbaz Sharif as Chief Minister of Punjab, the party spearheaded projects such as motorways, the Orange Line train, and metro systems etc. creating an extensive network of roads and highways from which millions continue to benefit.
Maryam Nawaz, however, has set a new precedent. Alongside infrastructure and mega projects, she has initiated welfare programs rooted not in bricks and mortar but in human need and social well-being. The children’s heart surgery program stands out as a notable example. Initiatives such as the Khidmat Card, Dhee Rani Program, Minority Card, Apna Ghar Apni Chhat scheme, and the Honhaar Scholarship Program are quietly transforming lives across the province. The Suthra Punjab initiative has set new benchmarks in sanitation, earning international attention, while the anti-encroachment drive drew praise even from political opponents. In truth, the scale and pace of her governance have set a benchmark that would be difficult for others to match.
In recent days, the Punjab government’s Film City project has generated considerable discussion. Based on the details available so far, the initiative has the potential to breathe new life into Pakistan’s long-struggling film industry. For years, the decline of the industry has been widely acknowledged, with successive governments often blamed for failing to accord it the status of a formal industry. One of the sector’s core challenges has been the reluctance of investors to commit capital, leaving a vacuum in modern infrastructure such as technical equipment, laboratories, and studios.
The announcement of the Film City project has rekindled hope that the industry can not only be revived but also restructured along modern lines. Encouragingly, the Punjab government has allocated 50 acres of land for the project, which forms part of the larger 853-acre Nawaz Sharif IT City. Conceived as a comprehensive production hub, the Film City will bring together all facets of filmmaking under one roof, mirroring global models such as Ramoji Film City in India and Dubai Studio City, both of which are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. It is hoped that Punjab’s Film City will be developed along similar lines.
According to available information, the project will feature modern studios, sound and post-production laboratories, as well as advanced animation and VFX facilities. It will also include film and music schools, a convention hall capable of hosting international-standard events, and even plans for an artificial lake. In essence, it aims to provide all contemporary filmmaking facilities within a single integrated space.
One of the key factors behind the decline of Pakistan’s film industry has been the absence of such modern infrastructure. Filmmakers are often compelled to travel abroad for music production and post-production work, incurring significant costs. The establishment of Film City is expected to resolve this issue, offering high-quality services at comparatively affordable rates. Filmmakers from across Pakistan, not just Punjab, are likely to benefit, which in turn could stimulate employment and economic activity. In this sense, the project holds potential not only for cultural revival but also for economic growth.
Importantly, this initiative is not an overnight development. Work on the project has been underway for nearly two years, accompanied by legislative progress. The Punjab Film Authority Bill has been passed by consensus in the provincial assembly, an indication that the initiative rests on careful planning rather than impulse. It is also widely known that Nawaz Sharif has long maintained a deep appreciation for the arts, often supporting artists through government patronage and, at times, personal financial assistance. In this context, the Film City project appears as a reflection of his longstanding vision.
As part of broader efforts to revive the industry, the Punjab government has also introduced a film fund, providing financial support of up to three crore rupees to filmmakers from across the country. A commendable aspect of the initiative is that the film fund was distributed without regard to political affiliation. However, it is regrettable that such a significant measure did not receive the level of publicity it rightfully deserved.
