“Heartfelt congratulations to all position holders, toppers, their parents and teachers,” said Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif in her speech at the Award Giving Ceremony held in the honor of position holders of all 09 Education Boards of Punjab. She added, “The special guests of today's event are these position holder children who are sitting in front of me.” She lauded their stellar performance despite unavailability of required facilities, environment and resources, she highlighted, “I salute these children for achieving such great success, bringing great results and making the name of the country and nation bright.”
Madam Chief Minister said, “I was eagerly waiting to meet the position holders’ children.” She added,”On my way home yesterday, I was thinking that Shahbaz Sharif started a laptop scheme in 2011, he also sent me to distribute them among talented students, then students who came on merit were given a guard of Honor.”
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif called up Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat and said,” These position holders are crown of our heads, if we do not give them guard of honor, who else will give it to them.” She added, “These children achieved high positions despite unfavorable conditions, I congratulate all those who played a role in their success.”
Madam Chief Minister said, “As a mother is happy, I am happy on the success of my children.” She recalled, “I have been to jail, there were cases, but I never had tears in my eyes, but seeing the position holder children receiving guard of honor have brought tears in my eyes.” She highlighted, I salute to your parents who have brought you to this point.”
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif noted, “Among the position holders, one's father works as a laborer, one is employed in a factory, it is not common to reach this position in such situations.” She said, “If you have resources and opportunities, you can set records not only in Pakistan but also in the world.”
Madam Chief Minister underscored,” Alhamdulillah, we are very happy that among 138 position holders of 9 boards of Punjab, 70 are daughters and 68 are sons.” She said, “For me, both sons and daughters are equal, but daughters get less opportunities, I am very proud of the wonderful performance of the girls.” She added, “Whether you have facilities or not, always remember one thing that there is no injustice in Allah's system.”
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said, “All of you took positions and topped, you should know that if Allah has brought you here, God willing, if you work hard, He will take you further.” She added, “Tomorrow, one of you boys or girls will be performing duties in my place.
Madam Chief Minister lamented, “In the previous government, the education minister had nothing to do with education. On the contrary, my education minister is an educated person and his entire team is also very hardworking.” She said, “I am sure the number of toppers and position holders of government schools will increase next year.” She added, “There are about 49,000 schools in Punjab, I don't talk much, but there is a promise that the quality of education and training will improve in government schools every day.” She highlighted, “Since coming to the government, we have been introducing both short-term and long-term reforms in the education department.”
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif vowed, “God willing, the shape of Punjab's education sector will change in 5 years.” She said,”I pay tribute to Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif that a child of Danish School Mianwali has topped Lahore Board.” She added, “Danish School is a plant planted by Shehbaz Sharif.” She noted, “While thinking of Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif sitting in the office, a sense of responsibility increases that one has to surpass them in performance.”
Madam Chief Minister said, “During a school visit in Murree, I came to know about the absence of a middle class girl's hand, doctors were sent immediately and Alhamdulillah the girl has been fitted with an artificial hand.” She added, “Children come to schools hungry, schools are starting meal program from September 05, under which milk packets will be provided to children from nursery to fifth class to meet their nutritional deficiency.” She underscored, “The pilot project of school meal program is starting from South Punjab.”
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said, “We are starting a scholarship scheme with Rs 25 billion, under which intelligent children will get education from LUMS, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute, IBA, COMSATS, FAST and other famous universities. Their fee will be paid by the Punjab government.” She added, “Scholarship program will start after FSC, and all toppers and position holders sitting here will be included in the scholarship program.” She highlighted, “Children, study wherever you want to study, your fee is my responsibility.”
Madam Chief Minister said, “We should not give petrol bombs and sticks in the hands of our children, but higher degrees, skills and laptops.” She added, “The distribution of electric bikes has been started for the students who do not have their own conveyance, they will benefit a lot from these bikes.” She highlighted, “We are increasing the number of e-bikes so that every student has his own ride.”
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said, “Bus service is also being provided to 61 schools, efforts are being made to provide free transport in every school.” She added, “Nawaz Sharif is going to establish Pakistan's first Artificial Intelligence University in IT City.” She highlighted, “Artificial Intelligence University will provide higher education and demand-driven IT skills to the youth.”
Madam Chief Minister said, “After acquiring IT skills, the youth will not wander, they will get a job soon and parents will get the fruits of their hard work.” She added, “No force in the world can stop those children from growing in life who respect and honor their parents.” She highlighted, “Parents should be appreciated and respected during the time of grief and should be thanked for what they have done, otherwise only regrets remain later on.”
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said, “Never turn back and argue with your parents, listen to them quietly and calmly.” She noted, “After departure of the parents, they are missed a lot, those who do not serve, their regret never ends.” She recalled, “My mother used to explain to me that if there is anyone to respect other than me, it is your teacher. I also congratulate your teachers on your success.” She flagged, “I say to the teachers that you are not just doing your duty but building the future of this country, perform your duties as a responsibility and not as a job.”
Madam Chief Minister said, “Love the country, whatever you decide, take the decision with the national flag in front, always choose the right path.” She added, “A relief of Rs 45 billion has been given to people suffering from high electricity bills for 2 months.” She highlighted, “Happiness is at least for 2 months. After 2 months of relief, we are bringing a huge solar program that will get them rid of heavy bills forever.”
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said, “Someone has called the relief given in electricity bills a stupidity, I laughed that spending money on corruption, on vehicles, on ships, on protocols is not stupidity, but giving relief to people is stupidity in their eyes.” She added, “Even if people get 2 months’ relief in these circumstances, I am happy because we have come to give relief.”
Madam Chief Minister said, “I never get to know the situation while sitting in my office, so I visit different places, go to institutions and hospitals to ascertain situation on ground.” She added, “In the office, only reports are presented in which everything is said to be good, on the road and in the field, the real truth is revealed.” She highlighted, “When someone works, he doesn't need to come to the media, he is visible to everyone.”
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said, “The Federal Government has given relief to the consumers of up to 200 units across Pakistan.” She added, “I am a Pakistani first and a Punjabi later, we have not received relief for Punjab as a gift, but we have given relief by reducing expenses from our budget.”
Madam Chief Minister said, “All provinces can also give relief to their citizens, instead of criticizing, move forward and give relief to the people.” She added, “Calling the process of giving relief to people stupidity is the biggest stupidity.”
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said “The position holders should tell other children whether you like someone or not, you have to speak in a civilized manner.” She added,” Anyone who fights with others, holds weapons in hand and attacks the country can never be your friend.” She lamented,” Children have been made political fuel, those who attacked on May 9 are in jails, they are not in good condition, ask their parents what is going on them.” She highlighted,” Children, you are the only one who has to bring country's politics from violence, abuse and hatred to patience, service and performance.”
Madam Chief Minister said,” A political party that spreads sedition is not considered a political party, politics is a service, parties that spread sedition are not entitled to politics.” She added,” Children, keep your eyes and ears open, don't believe what you hear, use your intellect for the development of the country and be a bright example.” She highlighted,” This country is yours, you are responsible for it, may Allah grant you success in every walk of life.”