When we were in school, we had a classmate who was particularly good at showing off. She always came to school with new books, notebooks, shoes, bags and stationery. Every weekend, she would return with another model of sharpeners, erasers or pencils to display. Her diaries were beautifully covered with sheets, and her books looked extremely attractive. One day, during homework inspection, she presented her notebook to the teacher, who discovered that it was completely blank. When questioned, she explained that she had been busy covering her books and therefore could not complete her homework. The teacher knew the reality but pardoned her on that occasion.
The following week, she performed poorly in a quiz and blamed her non-functional pen. After another test, she failed badly but explained that she had been busy buying a new bag instead of preparing. Finally, during the annual examinations, she barely managed to pass, yet carried herself with the confidence of someone who had topped the class. Years after finishing school, this example came back to my mind when I passed by a government hospital.
The Hospital: From Outside to Inside?
The hospital’s exterior, from its entrance gate to its corridors, had been freshly painted. Walls carried quotations, lights illuminated the premises, and flowers added to the attractive appearance. Everything seemed perfectly arranged, perhaps in anticipation of a ministerial visit. However, internally, it remained the same hospital that people generally avoided unless they had no alternative.
Finding a doctor or obtaining medicines was still a challenge. With insufficient medical and paramedical staff, patients were waiting outside for their turn to see the only available doctor. Nurses were struggling with responsibilities, while security guards controlled the entrance, allowing only one patient at a time. The emergency department appeared saturated. What the hospital actually needed was more doctors, paramedical staff, cleaners and technicians rather than another round of exterior renovation. Its diary was perfectly covered, but the homework remained incomplete.
Perfectly Painted Roads Without a Sewerage System?
Then comes the example of a newly constructed one-kilometre road in the middle of a city. It was decorated with lights, ornamental poles and architectural features that appeared more suitable for showcasing than serving public needs. The road was given an attractive name, and its inauguration was celebrated as though a major CPEC project had been completed.
However, after just one spell of rainfall, the road became submerged. The sewerage system, which should have been an essential part of the planning, was missing. Overflowing wastewater damaged the road, and its decorative appearance quickly disappeared. What remained was an expensive development project that people could barely use. The question is not how beautifully a road is inaugurated, but whether it can withstand the first rainfall.
Canal-Link Lights and the False Illumination?
Pakistan possesses one of the world’s largest canal irrigation systems, yet drought-like conditions have emerged in several areas because of negligence and deficiencies in irrigation management across Punjab. At various points, bridges are decorated, signboards are installed, and structures are made visually attractive. However, the actual homework beneath these structures remains incomplete.
Small irrigation channels, including local nullahs, the Nala Palkho and the Lai, reflect the condition of neglected water infrastructure. Farmers are compelled to rely on tube wells, increasing their electricity expenses and production costs. Instead of prioritising decorative infrastructure, the government must ensure the equitable distribution of water and strengthen irrigation management. Addressing water disputes and securing Punjab’s rightful share of water against upstream challenges, including the policies associated with the Modi regime, require serious diplomatic and administrative attention. This is the policy Punjab needs, not artificial illumination.
The Deceptive Decorations of Public Schools, Colleges and Universities?
Education is the pivot of sustainable development. Punjab may possess some of the country’s most promising educational institutions, but an important question remains: why is so much attention given to decorating buildings rather than strengthening their faculty?
Universities, colleges and schools across Punjab continue to face shortages of permanent teaching staff. These deficiencies are often addressed through internships and visiting-faculty arrangements, but temporary appointments cannot become a permanent solution. If Punjab is economically capable, irregular expenditure on decorative improvements should not take precedence over qualified teachers. Students can develop their vision only as far as their teachers can guide them. A visiting lecturer, already divided between multiple responsibilities, cannot always deliver the consistency and dedication that a permanent faculty member provides.
All these examples deserve scrutiny across Punjab. The real challenge is identifying where development expenditure goes and whether it delivers measurable public benefits. Questions also arise regarding the Auditor General’s reports and the transparency of provincial expenditure. Why should accountability become a matter of selective attention rather than an established institutional practice?
Punjab does not merely need painted buildings, illuminated roads or impressive inauguration ceremonies. It needs a comprehensive policy renovation based on public-service delivery, financial transparency, institutional accountability and long-term forecasting. The fundamental weakness is a development model that prioritises optics over outcomes and appearances over performance.
The old dilemma of looking busy while doing nothing must not become the governing philosophy of a province with such enormous economic potential. Development should be measured by functioning hospitals, accessible healthcare, sustainable roads, reliable irrigation and qualified teachers. A beautiful cover cannot compensate for an empty notebook. Punjab needs to complete its homework before celebrating its results.