Chief Ministership of Shehbaz Sharif

In 2003, an anti-terrorism court issued an arrest warrant for Sharif in a 1998 extrajudicial killings case.[6] Sharif was accused for ordering extrajudicial killings of five people in a fake police encounter in 1998 during his first tenure as Chief Minister of Punjab.[7] Sharif attempted to return to Pakistan in 2004 to appear before the court, but was forcibly deported back to Saudi Arabia.[7][8] In August 2007, the Supreme Court of Pakistan gave its verdict which allowed Sharif to return to Pakistan.[9] In September 2007, a court in Pakistan ordered police to arrest Sharif "at whichever airport he lands at" on a 2003 arrest warrant.[7][10] Sharif denied ordering the alleged killings and said the charges against him were politically motivated.[7] He further said "in 2004 he landed at the Lahore Airport and wanted to appear before the court but the government in a deceitful mode sent him back to Saudi Arabia in sheer violation of the orders of the Supreme Court."[11]

Punjab budget 2016-17 was presented on 13 June by Punjab Finance Minister Ayesha Ghaus Pasha. An accumulate budget of Rs. 1,681 billion was presented in the budget. The budget allocation for agriculture has been increased by 47%, for law and order by 48%, for health by 62%, for education by 47%, for potable water by 88%, for school education by 71% and for other developmental projects an increase by 37.5%. This budget is primarily focused on social development rather than infrastructure. From providing education to each and every kid in Punjab to women empowerment, it is a socially directed budget with unique initiatives. Some of the highlights of this budget include:

A total of Rs. 256 billion has been allocated to education in Punjab budget 2016-2017. A total of Rs. 43.83 billion has been allocated to health in Punjab budget 2016-17. Major part of this budget will be spent on revamping DHQ and THQ hospitals throughout Punjab. Punjab government has already announced a historic package of Rs. 100 billion for agriculture. Out of this package, Rs. 50 billion will be allocated to agriculture in 2016-17. Women Development & Empowerment has been given a substantial share of the budget including initiatives such as Help Desk in police stations, 40% quota for women in self-employment scheme and establishment of Women Protection Center in Multan. For empowering and supporting youth through different initiatives, Punjab government has allocated Rs. 23.3 billion in 2016-17 budget. For establishing law and order throughout the province, the Punjab government has allocated Rs. 145 billion.

Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif went on an elaborate tour to China from 24–29 July. The tour not only was focused on bringing in more investment to Punjab by presenting favorable side of the province but also to celebrate 67 years of Pak-China friendship. Chief Minister traveled from Beijing to Jimo and met higher authorities of all the developmental sectors including health, energy and infrastructure. The term Punjab Speed is used in China with regard to rapid execution of projects, said the Chairman of EXIM bank in a meeting with Shehbaz Sharif. In his six days tour visiting four cities, Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese authorities successfully signed 20 agreements and 25 memorandum of understandings for health, energy, infrastructure and other sectors. In addition, the chief minister told the Chinese authorities that work has been started on implementation of a $46 billion investment package by China. Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif met the top management of Huawei company. In the meeting, it was decided that Huawei will incorporate its healthcare solution in one of the DHQs in Punjab free of cost. If the incorporation brings desired results, this solution will be expanded in all 36 districts of Punjab. The Chief Minister visited Beijing Friendship hospital and met the top management. In a fruitful meeting, a proposition was made to Friendship hospital that their team of experts will visit Pakistan Kidney & Liver Institute to assess the training needs and train the Pakistani doctors accordingly. At a business seminar in Shandong where 60 key companies of China were present, Vice Governor Shandong said that Shehbaz Sharif has furthered Pak-China relationship in a real sense. The chief minister ensured that best facilities will be provided to the Chinese investors and their team in Punjab.

Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif went on a three-day tour to Turkey from 25–27 July. The most prominent highlight of this tour includes Shehbaz Sharif's meeting with Turkish Health Minister Dr. Recep Akdag. In this meeting, a memorandum of understanding was signed as per which Turkey will extend its cooperation to uplift healthcare system in Punjab. The cooperation will include safe disposal of hospital waste and disinfection and infection control in health facilities. Shehbaz Sharif also attended the opening ceremony of Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge on personal invitation of Turkish President Erdogan. Shehbaz Sharif was among the leading leadership of the world on this inauguration. Later, the chief minister also had one-on-one meeting with president Erdogan.

Special Monitoring Unit (SMU) is an initiative of Mr Shehbaz Sharif. CM's Special Monitoring Unit (SMU) Law and Order is an entity of the Government of Punjab and an essential part of the Chief Minister's Office. The unit is responsible for monitoring and implementation of various projects across Punjab. The unit is directly accountable to the CM and the citizens of the province of Punjab.

Since its inception in August 2014, SMU has already introduced ground breaking reforms in Law & Order wing that are currently in implementation stage. These include but are not limited to: Violence Against Women Centres (VAWC) – Provision of all facilities under one roof (including First Aid, FIR lodging, Prosecutor, Medical Examination, Forensics, Post Trauma Rehabilitation, Psychologist Consulting, Dar-ul-Amaans and Placement into Society)[42] Dealer Vehicle Registration System (D.V.R.S) – Citizen convenience by vehicle registration and license plate issuance at dealerships.[43] Token Tax Identification Stickers – to eliminate inconvenient checkpoint stops [44] Specialty plates – Customized license plates in different colours and with options for different images (relating to Culture, Disability, Personalities, Punjab Landmarks and in support of causes such as Breast Cancer, Terror Victims etc.)[45] • Introduction of camera integrated traffic fines with zero discrimination towards violators. Vehicle owners are traced by the registration plate data and warnings are sent to the owner’s house. Model Graveyards to facilitate grieving citizens [46][47][48] • Traffic Reforms including engineering, education and enforcement [49][50][51] • Restaurant Grading System which will give citizens the decision making power to choose restaurants based on quality and hygiene as opposed to the ambiance.[52][53]

Shahbaz Sharif is acknowledged even by his opponents as an outstanding administrator for his role in making Punjab a model of good governance.[54]

The Punjab Assembly passed a long-awaited and landmark Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act 2015. This bill has 31 clauses and provides a complete system for complaint registration along with penalties for offenders. This act contains remedies for victims of violence. It also criminalise all forms of violence against women along with providing special centers providing services and protection to women against violence and abuse. Centers are being established for reconciliation and resolution of disputes. In addition, shelter homes will be built for protecting aggrieved women providing lodging and boarding facilities to the victim and children.[55]

Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a package of Rs 100 billion for the development of agriculture sector. It was announced at the Punjab Agriculture Conference 2016. Representatives of farmers, agriculture experts and government gathered at one platform to make deliberations in working groups for the formulation of concrete recommendations and proposals. Through this conference, a solid policy for agriculture will be formulated. The Rs 100 billion budget will be spent on the prosperity of agriculture and farmers during the next two years. A major chunk of this budget will be allocated to research and development departments for the improvement of agriculture. In addition, Kissan Commission will also be set up to resolve problems or farmers, developing agriculture and increasing per acre yield.[56]

Punjab government under the supervision of Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif passed Prohibition of Child Labor in Brick Kilns Ordinance 2016 to eliminate child labor throughout the province of Punjab.[57] Government of the Punjab launched a mega campaign to eliminate child labour and the ordinance offers the following package to children currently working at brick kilns in Punjab:

• Monthly scholarship of Rs. 1000/- to every child going to school. • Government of Punjab to bear all educational expenses. • Free uniform, textbooks and stationery. • Transport facility to be extended to the children of far flung areas. • Sum of two thousand rupees to be given to the parents of such children going to school.

In 2011 there was a Dengue fever outbreak in Punjab. The total number of reported patients was 17,352, with loss of 252 lives in district Lahore only. The Punjab government under Chief Minister Sharif took radical and drastic measures to bring this menace completely under control. In 2012 only 182 confirmed cases were reported in district Lahore with zero mortality. The achievement was recognised and appreciated by Sri Lankan and other foreign experts.[58]

In November 2015, Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif decided to sharpen the investment pitch for Punjab by organizing a successful two-day International Seminar for Investment Opportunities in Punjab. The basic purpose of this seminar was to give assurance to the investors about the sanctity of the information and facilitation for investors in order to help them make up their minds when entering a new emerging market. This seminar facilitated investors in pointing out their expectations and highlighting possible gaps. Punjab honed its investment promotion skills through this seminar and invited some of the most trusted business partners, chiefly Chinese and Turks. The Chief Minister of Punjab personally attended the investment delegates from China and Turkey and proposed the investment opportunities available in 48 different sectors in Punjab. It was a successful event which resulted in signing of over 150 MoUs and agreements with the investors [59]

Shehbaz Sharif went on a five-day tour to the United Kingdom in November 2015 to enhance cooperation in health, education, skill development and other sectors in Punjab. At this occasion, he met British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Philip Hammond and UK Home Minister Ms. Theresa. He also addressed Chatham House, a think tank of international repute under the aegis of Royal Institute of International Affairs in London. He addressed a large number of professors, intellectuals, politicians and experts at this occasion. It must be mentioned that addressing intellectual sessions at Chatham House is a prestigious tradition as Chatham House is about 100 years' old and only prominent personalities or politicians with international repute are invited for address.

• Khadim-e-Punjab Saaf Dehat Program A Major Initiative in November 2017 which aimed to provide cleanliness facilities to rural areas, and it is first of its own kind in the history of Pakistan that such initiative has been taken for rural community. This program will make sure the cleaning of drains, street sweeping and collection of solid waste from the village streets. The disposal of solid waste from the villages and elimination of stagnant water from these villages will improve the general environment and healthy conditions will be resulted in.
• Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute

The Chief Minister of Punjab has initiated Hepatitis Prevention and Treatment Program under which they have launched the 300 bed first phase of Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research center on 25 December 2017 at a cost of Rs20bn. It is the first state of the art kidney and liver center in South Asia that specifically deals with Kidney and Liver related issues. Liver related diseases are the 11th leading cause of deaths in Pakistan with kidney diseases on number 12. According to World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 40% of all the diseases in Pakistan have kidney, bladder, and liver related origin. The treatment of these diseases was either too expensive or not available in the country whatsoever that left people with no choice but to get it done from neighboring countries or lose the precious lives. Pakistan Kidney and Liver Instituted aims to deal in Nephrology, Urology, Hepatobiliary Surgery, Kidney and Liver Transplant and in other specialized medical fields in the future. The institute has a network of filter clinics in all 36 districts of Punjab province for timely provision of the treatment. It specifically targets the low income group, who cannot afford to get the treatment.

• CM Punjab’s historic participation at OIC summit 2017

As an aftermath of President Trump’s decision of recognition of Jerusalem, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan took a timely decision of convening a meeting of the OIC which was fully endorsed by the Chief Minister of Punjab, Mian Shehbaz Sharif. On 12 December 2017, he [Shehbaz Sharif] Left for Turkey along with PM Abbasi to attend the OIC Extraordinary Summit on Jerusalem. Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif got a prominent coverage in national as well as International media during his participation at the OIC Extraordinary Summit in Istanbul where he [Shehbaz Sharif] was the only provincial Chief Executive who was invited by the Turkish government along with PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, which is a personal honour for him and acknowledgement of his leadership qualities at the global level.

• Zewar-e-Taleem

Under Khadim-e-Punjab Zewar-e-Taleem program, financial assistance is being provided to low-literacy districts. A stipend of Rs 1000 per month has been awarded to 495,000 female students so far in order to get better enrolment and retention from female students.

• Lahore Knowledge park

Lahore Knowledge Park is being developed as country’s first Technopolis, with a capital outlay of PKR 107 Billion (US$1 Billion). Punjab government has dedicated an area of 852 acres land. Lahore Knowledge Park embodies the vision of provincial Chief Minister to make Punjab and by extension Pakistan, South Asia’s premier destination for the global knowledge economy.

• NexGen

ECE centers have been set up in 11,000 schools out of 62,000 schools so far, almost 4,000 primary school teachers have already been trained for the project. It is the largest project of its kind in SAARC Countries.

• Distribution of Laptops

426,000 laptops have been distributed among the deserving students who couldn't afford the luxury of laptops and showed good performance throughout their education career. Shahbaz Sharif Merit Scholarship (SSMS) Program offers a fully funded PhD Program from world known universities. A total number of 351,424 scholarships have been awarded to the competitive students in the region.

• New Campuses

1167 College Teachers Interns (CTIs) have been recruited to meet the shortage of college staff. New Universities and sub-campuses have been established in Sahiwal, Okara, Jhang, T.T. Singh, D.G. Khan, Chakwal, Jhelum, Narowal and P.D. Khan (PKR.700 million) in order to get better enrollment in accordance with the growing population. I. Sub-Campus of GC University Faisalabad at T.T. Singh II. Establishment of University of Jhang III. Establishment of University of Sahiwal and Okara IV. Sub Campus of BZU at Vehari V. Government College Women University Sialkot VI. Sub Campus of UET Taxila Pind Dadan Khan Jhelum VII. Engineering College of University of Sargodha VIII. Sub-Campus of Govt. College University, Faisalabad IX. Establishment of University of Gujrat X. UOG Sub Campus Narowal XI. Sub Campus Govt College University at Kala Shah Kaku XII. Sub Campus of King Edward Narowal-Sheikhupura XIII. Khawaja Farid University of Engineering & IT at Rahim Yar Khan (PKR.587 million) XIV. Information Technology University (ITU) at Lahore. XV. Cadet College Khanpur, Okara and Fort Manro has been established.

• Energy Projects

• The 1,223MW of power project in Balloki Kasur has been completed. Groundbreaking was commenced by Nawaz Sharif on 11 November 2015. The project will utilize regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) for fuel, with diesel as an alternate backup. It is currently producing 380MW of energy out of 1223 MW. • 1,230MW Haveli Bahadur Shah Project Jhang was inaugurated by Nawaz Shareef in 2017 fueled by environment-friendly liquefied natural gas (LNG) The project is environment friendly with a minimum impact on climate change due to use of an efficient technology which guarantees the productivity and regulation of the plant at 62.44 per cent on LNG. The project will add 760 megawatts to the national grid. • The first plant of Sahiwal Coal Power Project was inaugurated in 2017 by Nawaz Shareef. It is producing 1320 Megawatt of energy. The project has been completed and functional through imported coal, in order to change energy mix for inexpensive power generation. • The 1,180-MW RLNG-fuelled Bhikki Power Plant financed by the Punjab government is the first project to be commissioned with 717 MW added to the national grid in the first phase. The project has taken 18 months to be functional which may be a world record for a mega project of this magnitude. The project has been built at half the cost of similar projects. • Quaid e Azam Solar Park in Bahawalpur is the first energy project under CPEC that is producing 400MW out of 1000MW. With some 400,000 solar panels, spread over 200 hectares of flat desert, glare defiantly in Cholistan Desert Punab, it is the largest Photovoltaic power station in the world. • The provincial government of Punjab and a Chinese company has signed an agreement to install LNG-fueled power plant in Jhang by the name of Punjab power plant. The project is scheduled to be completed in 26 months and will start power generation of 810 MW within 14 months. • Huaneng Shandong Power, a subsidiary of China Huaneng Group signed an agreement with the Punjab government to build the Rahim Yar Khan plant under China Pakistan Economic Corridor. 1,320MW Rahim Yar Khan Coal power project is under feasibility study.

• Kissan package

Small farmers would be provided interest free loans of Rs80 billion throughout the province under Kissan package. 600,000 farmers will be benefited from Kissan Package in the province. It is first of its kind project in the country that will result in agricultural production boost in the region. Kissan Cards are issued to farmers benefiting from various government programs to consolidate recipients’ information, including demographics, contact details, crops & landholding patterns, livestock, irrigation sys and mechanization, for transparent and efficient implementation of these interventions.

• Transport Projects

Following the rapid growth and density in population, the provincial government in Punjab has been among the pioneers to introduce Orange Line Metro Train in the city. 27-kilometer Orange Line Metro Train Project is country’s first mass rapid transit train project with an estimated cost of over $1.65 billion that will connect Raiwind, Multan Road, Mcleod Road, Lahore Junction Railway Station and the Grand Trunk Road. Country’s first rapid transit system was introduced by government of the Punjab in 2013 with Lahore Green Line BRT. It has 27 stations along a 27 km corridor that stretches from Shahdara to Gajumata. The total ridership in 2017 has hit 54 million. Multan metro project includes 21 bus stations spread over an 18.5 km route, which facilitates 97,000 commuters daily that covers 30 km long route. A 23 kilometre corridor of Rawalpindi Metro bus including elevated and underground roads have been facilitating thousands of commuters from the twin city. Almost 200 air conditioned Lahore Feeder Bus Service feeds the metro bus service, extending the service to virtually the entire city covering 130 km on 14 routes. Up to 100 buses are running on 11 feeder routes of the Multan Metro Bus System with e-ticketing system. The same service is underway from Bahawalpur to Lodhran.

• Environment

The government has introduced environment-friendly Zig Zag Firing Brick Kilns technology. The design manual is the first one in South Asia as it incorporates the practical knowledge and engineering design of the kilns. Most of the brick kilns that are located in or around the urban cities of Pakistan emit thick black smoke containing several air pollutants (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides) and fine particulate matter, which causes serious health hazards like human illnesses, animal and plant life destruction to communities living around them.