Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visited Sargodha University, where she distributed scholarships to talented students and emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering youth and promoting education.
Speaking at the event on Wednesday, Maryam Nawaz lauded the Honahar Scholarship Program, calling it the first and largest initiative of its kind in Pakistan’s history. She revealed that 30,000 scholarships, amounting to Rs72 billion, have been awarded to deserving students across 68 disciplines.
She pledged to extend scholarships to second- and third-year students in the future. She also announced efforts to increase the number of scholarships from 30,000 to 50,000 next year.
The chief minister assured students that every scholarship was awarded purely on merit, with no political affiliations considered. "I look at students not as a chief minister but as a mother," she remarked.
Maryam Nawaz also announced plans to provide 30,000 e-bikes to students on easy installments this year, with a vision to distribute 100,000 free e-bikes next year.
Highlighting the importance of youth in Pakistan’s development, she said, "Sixty percent of our population comprises youth, and the reins of the country’s future are in your hands." She urged students to embrace their responsibilities, avoid being manipulated by political agendas, and always prioritize the nation’s interest.
"Those who torched buildings, destroyed metro buses, and besieged are not loyal to you. Those who resorted to arson at someone's orders are in jail today. Don't become fuel for someone's greed for power," she advised.
The chief minister condemned recent incidents of political violence and vandalism, referencing events such as the burning of Jinnah House, metro buses, greenbelts, and the destruction of public property. She criticised individuals like PTI leader and Imran Khan's nephew, Hassaan Niazi, who has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by a military court.
"Hassaan Niazi mocked the military uniform, which became a spectacle before the entire world. Hassaan Niazi has been imprisoned for 10 years; ask his parents how they are doing. When Hassaan Niazi is released after 10 years, the world will have changed. His future is ruined," Maryam remarked, adding that all those imprisoned were reaping the fruits of what they sowed.
"Political opposition must remain within the bounds of civility. Violence and destruction are not the answer," she said.
Maryam Nawaz concluded her speech by calling for unity, integrity, and dedication among the youth, stating, "Politics is not a bad thing -- it is a form of worship when done for the betterment of the people."
