Punjab CM approves scholarships for students from other provinces
Listen to article
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the Honhar Scholarship Programme for students from other provinces, Express News reported.
During a meeting, Maryam Nawaz, while chairing the session, instructed to increase the number of laptops to 110,000 for students in Punjab and also directed the establishment of a dedicated helpline for the beneficiaries of the scholarship program.
The Chief Minister has extended the scholarship scheme to students from other provinces as well, setting the same eligibility criteria as for Punjab students. To receive a laptop in Punjab, a minimum of 65% eligibility has been set.
Maryam Nawaz emphasized that the scholarship and laptop program are the rights of every child and the responsibility of the government.
She stated that education and youth development are the real investments for the nation, expressing her desire for every child to receive a laptop.
She added that the scholarship and laptops are also the right of students from other provinces, including Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
She further remarked that any student who meets the merit standard should be able to apply to good colleges, with the government covering the fees. "I think like a mother and want to change every child's fate," she said. The criteria for scholarships in Punjab will be maintained for students from other provinces.
She assured that there would be no hindrance in providing funding for any scheme for students. The meeting also approved a one-day VC conference and Tech Expo in Punjab.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
7 hours ago
- Business Recorder
CM Maryam says special helpline 1124 will redress complaints
LAHORE: As directed by Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, a Directorate of Monitoring Cell has been established in the Home Department. Special helpline 1124 has also been established for the redressal of public complaints. In this regard the Chief Minister said: 'Public can call 1124 for guidance or complaints related to Jail Department, Civil Defence, Highway Patrol and Security Companies. Helpline 1124 facility can also be availed for reporting bombs or suspicious objects at any place. Punjab Highway Patrol contact system has been established for assistance or guidance during travel on major highways of Punjab. Passengers can also call 1124 for help in case of vehicle breakdown, robbery or any emergency. Immediate action will be taken on 1124 notification regarding overloading and careless driving on public transport.' She said that the passengers can also call the helpline for medical assistance while travelling on any highway of Punjab. The inappropriate behaviour of the Highway patrolling staff will also be addressed. A complaint in this regard can be registered on 1124 in case of meeting prisoners or difficulty in providing essential goods. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said: 'A complaint can also be filed on 1124 regarding inappropriate behaviour of the prison staff, like demanding bribes. Complaints related to security guards or security companies can be resolved immediately on the helpline. Action will also be taken against the security company on complaint of a security guard receiving less than the prescribed wages.' She added: 'Complaints will also be resolved on the helpline 1124 regarding illegal sale or transfer of LPG gas. Even if there is no emergency exit system in a multi-storey building, or there is a lack of necessary fire extinguishing arrangements at a petrol pump or gas station, information can be reported on the helpline.' Chief Minister said, 'My team and I are committed to protecting and serving the lives and property of the people. Neglect in the redressal of public grievances will not be tolerated.' She pointed out: 'Highway Patrol is being reactivated to ensure safe travel on Punjab's highways. We will ensure protection of legal rights of prisoners.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
CM vows plantation on 50k acres
The Punjab government plans to plant 42 million trees on 50,869 acres under the Chief Minister Plant for Pakistan Initiative. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said in a statement highlighting key features of the initiative on Saturday that the provincial budget reflected her government's eco-friendly vision, with landmark steps launched under the Punjab Green Programme to combat climate change and promote sustainable development. She added that 1.375 million trees were being planted on 3,790 acres of forest wasteland under the CM Agroforestry Initiative. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz highlighted, "Large-scale tree plantation and environmental projects are being launched under the Punjab Green Programme." She said the scope of the Green Pakistan Programme had been expanded and plantation of 466.463 million trees on 251,000 acres was being pursued. She added, "Plantation of five million trees in rows on 10,223 miles in the canal area of Punjab has been initiated." She underscored, "Provision of world-class facilities for the promotion of eco-tourism in Lal Suhanra National Park and Salt Range are being ensured." Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said, "A wireless network, digital cameras, GPS devices and CCTV cameras are being provided for eco-tourism." She added, "Construction of an eco-friendly certified multi-storey building has been started to establish a protected nature area, where modern facilities have been provided for the staff." She also announced a Shielding Summits Programme for disaster prevention in the mountains of Murree and Kahuta with the recruitment of 600 fire watchers, provision of fire vehicles and watch towers. The Chief Minister said, "Restoration of forest tracks and construction of tanks for springwater are also part of the project." She added that a GIS-based protection system had been introduced for immediate detection of fire and encroachment with drone and satellite technology. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said, "A digital communication cell has been established, modern monitoring equipment and additional staff are being provided to the Monitoring and Evaluation Wing of the Forest Department." She added, "Digital tree enumeration in rows and a GIS-based survey have been started in Punjab." The chief minister said, "Modern machinery has been purchased for forestry work. The process of plantation and forestry operations has been accelerated." She pointed out, "Establishment of 104 Forest Command and Control Centres for 24-hour monitoring across the province is significantly increasing the capacity for forest protection." Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Punjab government have agreed for financial cooperation for establishing an environment protection observatory, use of modern agricultural machinery and launching an advanced public transport system. Senior Provincial Minister Marruyum Aurangzeb held a meeting with an ADB delegation regarding key initiatives. The meeting featured a detailed discussion on a 'New Country Partnership Strategy' for Pakistan. Both sides exchanged views on Pakistan's strategic growth challenges and deliberated on promoting a transparent development process, boosting exports and investments, establishing a modern trade system, and ensuring efficient and transparent utilisation of public capital. The senior minister said the provincial budget includes record-breaking projects focused on health, education, skill development and overall improvement in public life. A cardiac hospital is being established in Sargodha, while the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital is being set up in Lahore. She said new public health schemes included Clinic on Wheels, specialised mother and child health centres, and the establishment of new outpatient departments (OPDs). She emphasiwed that comprehensive steps were being taken to introduce technology in sectors such as agriculture, industry, fisheries, dams and IT. For the first time, a Socio-Economic Registry is being developed to accurately assess public needs and base planning on realistic foundations. She said historic initiatives had been introduced in Punjab for environmental protection, with practical measures under way to make every sector eco-friendly. The introduction of electric buses is helping to reduce pollution sources, while the establishment of the environmental observatory will enable effective monitoring of climate changes. The ADB delegation offered full support for a modern, green and prosperous future of the province.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Azma praises Maryam's governance model
LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has said that Maryam Nawaz's governance model is non-political and people-centric. Responded to opposition allegations, Azma stated that in the past, democratic voices were suppressed in the House, but under Maryam Nawaz's leadership, every member now enjoys complete freedom of expression. She emphasized that the current budget prioritizes public welfare. A substantial amount of Rs300 billion has been allocated for law and order, and the Punjab police have been equipped with modern weapons, transform them into an effective force against terrorism. Police posts have now been established across the province, even in remote riverine areas, she said. Azma Bokhari highlighted that Rs811 billion have been allocated for the education sector. This includes school upgrades, establishment of modern IT labs, and provision of new furniture, distribution of Google certifications, laptops, and scholarships. She added that although a false case was filed against Shehbaz Sharif's laptop scheme, its positive impact is now clearly visible. In the health sector, Rs630 billion have been earmarked. This includes revamping of public hospitals, provision of free medicines, improvements in health clinics, and the deployment of young doctors. Medical services are now available at the Union Council level, and free medications are being provided for serious diseases such as cancer, hepatitis, and tuberculosis, she said. On the matter of local government elections, Bokhari reminded the opposition that it was they who once dissolved elected local bodies in Punjab. She confirmed that the process for new local bodies' elections is already underway. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
