Maryam says she will never apologise being the protector of Punjab

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif said on Thursday she is a protector of Punjab and a protector of life, property and self-respect of its people.

“If I do not speak about the self-respect of Punjabis, who will? Maryam will never apologise, my job is to raise my voice for my people and Punjab,” she said while addressing a ceremony in the honour of matric and intermediate position-holders of all 09 educational boards of Punjab.

Maryam said, “President PML-N Nawaz Sharif had said goodbye to IMF, who brought it back? The resources are yours, but someone else is deciding how to use them.”

The CM defended merit-based appointments and promotions in government sectors, criticizing past recommendation culture and promise-breaking practices. She noted that she personally oversees interviews for key posts and affirmed that no favouritism will be tolerated under any circumstance. She highlighted, “If someone brings a recommendation for any post, I mark a red cross against it.” She added that previously awarded contracts based on recommendations have been cancelled so that public resources can be spent on the welfare of people across Punjab. She, while delineating on Punjab government’s performance in rendering social services and ensuring safety of general public, announced that a dedicated unit ‘CCD’ has been established to tackle harassment and crime related incidents in the province. She stated that establishing CCD and other security measures have contributed to a significant reduction in crime rate in many districts. She reiterated Punjab government’s commitment to make Punjab the safest province for women while allocating separate compartments for female students in electric buses. This landmark project has been inaugurated in Mianwali for the first time and is now being extended to other smaller cities across Punjab, she added.

The CM made important announcements pledging to bear all educational expenses of position holders, besides providing them laptops in recognition of their meritorious performance in the field of education. She said that the Punjab government would establish Centres of Excellence for boys and girls across Punjab, and would create 6000 new science, technology, arts, engineering and mathematics labs to strengthen STEM education in the province.

The Chief Minister said that do not believe every video that is being played on social media. She highlighted that the truth and reality is that uplift projects like electric buses, quality schools, Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar, orange line, metro bus and construction of roads are being launched in Punjab. The fact is that the price of bread is fixed at Rs 13 in Punjab. She censured those who insight youth to indulge in criminal activities and vandalism. She encouraged children to learn English besides learning Urdu, Punjabi and other languages. The youth who committed unlawful activities are behind the bars and what will happen to their parents?

As part of a plan to improve access and learning conditions, she said the Punjab government will launch a school-transport programme, organize sports competitions in every educational institution and will provide free uniforms to all government school students. She also vowed to upgrade basic facilities including classrooms, toilets and clean drinking water in every school within the next six months. Recognizing financial barriers to study, she said that 80,000 merit scholarships are being awarded to talented students including the poor, orphans and those from underprivileged segments of society. She emphasized that education is the greatest equalizer, adding that rich and poor become equal after acquiring knowledge.

The Chief Minister underscored the importance of acquiring technology in modern education system, noting that books, paper and pencils alone are not enough. She promised that laptops and digital resources will be distributed among distinguished students to help them meet current learning objectives. She encouraged students to learn English alongside Urdu and Punjabi, saying proficiency in English is necessary for national and international competitiveness.

Highlighting recent provincial projects, she drew attention to a Center of Excellence in Chakwal, built on 40 kanals at a an estimated cost of Rs 65 crore which currently imparts free education to 1,400 needy and orphan students. She said Lahore’s new early childhood centre will offer facilities that surpass many private centres, ensuring poor children receive the same early learning opportunities as received by the rich.

The CM highlighted that the government has allocated large-scale funds for school improvements. She said that Rs. 80 billion have been provided for upgrading educational institutions including classrooms, furniture, fans, clean water and computer labs. She disclosed that a school meal programme worth Rs. 9 billion is being run in parts of northern and southern Punjab. The province is also distributing milk boxes to about one million students under school nutrition initiatives. Milk cartons are being provided to one million students. She said that the school meal program is very expensive, but despite being an expensive program, it should be continued.

She revealed that class five children of China and Japan were being taught robotics and artificial intelligence. She pledged that Punjab children should also be prepared for global competition. Adding that technology, machine learning, reporting and coding will be taught in new labs. She highlighted that projects are launched in small cities first. Electric bus projects have been started in small cities like Mianwali, Wazirabad, Dera Ghazi Khan and Faisalabad, she added

The Chief Minister said, “I urge students to learn English. Free travel facility has been provided for all students in electric buses. There is no government school in the entire Punjab where there is shortage of teachers.” For the first time in the history of Punjab, a woman has been elected as a Chief Minister. She stated that Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb remains in the field day and night to control prices in the province. She highlighted that if a woman wants to make a mark in any social sector, Punjab government will fully support her. She appreciated that Senior Minister, Information Minister, special assistants in Punjab are women and they are doing a great job.

She added that for the first time, a woman commissioner has been appointed in Lahore. She outlined that if someone’s daughter, sister and wife want to study, they should not be discouraged and should let them study. She said that she felt pleased to know when a student belonging to a minority expressed her desire to become a parliamentarian.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025