Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced to provide one lakh e-bikes to the students of Punjab. She also announced to undertake steps for students regarding international scholarships along with increasing annual Honhar Scholarship Program from 30 thousand to 50 thousand annually. At the Honhar Scholarship Program ceremony at Fast University, she also took a pledge from the students not to do anything against the country, not to leave their country and to serve it. She while addressing the Honhar Scholarship ceremony at Fast University, Islamabad, said, “Does such a leadership is justified of having their own children outside the country and other people's children in jail? No mother can teach her children the lesson of burning, besieging, vandalizing and beating. Those who teach children to abuse and accuse cannot be sympathetic to them. Abusing anyone is unethical. The young generation should pledge not to do anything against their beloved homeland. I thank my opponents who have made me so strong through their undue harsh criticism. I should thank the opponents who have made me strong today. The opponents are worried as why children are getting scholarships. 2500 students from Rawalpindi division alone got prestigious scholarships.”
She added, “Children have self-restraint and do not want to be a burden on their parents. I will tell my children and sons that it is your responsibility to respect your mothers, sisters and daughters. I endured imprisonment, faced trials and have become tough after going through political hardships. Despite being a woman, I under went character assassination due to political rivalry. After seven or eight years, the economy is improving. When PML-N government took over, the country was at the verge of default, now good news has started coming. Discussions are underway to build a campus for a better international university in the Nawaz Sharif IT City.”
She said, “Big Chinese business houses are eager to invest in Pakistan. We have respect and recognition because of Pakistan. Think for five minutes every day what we can do for our country. I am a mother and I am thinking about fulfilling the responsibility of arranging employment of my children after their education. We want to protect self-respect and dignity of our children. Loans amounting upto to Rs.3 crore will be given to the youth to earn a respectable living. The state will also fulfill its responsibility of providing employment to the youth after their education. I want to bring everything that is available in developed countries including China for my children in Pakistan. Punjab wants to teach and learn according to global trends. It was surprising to see small children studying robotics, artificial intelligence and cyber security in Chinese schools.”
She added, “Neither I pay heed to any recommendation nor implement it. I never work against merit, often the assembly members get angry over it. If you are a talented youth, you are eligible for a scholarship in Punjab. Students are being given Honhar scholarships irrespective of their political affiliation. I can say with full conviction that 100 percent scholarships are being given only on merit in Punjab. I commend Provincial Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat and Secretary Higher Education Farrukh Naveed on the success of the Honhar Scholarships Program. I want children to focus on education without worrying about fees. We are also introducing a laptop scheme in Punjab. Every child is like a brick in the building of Pakistan, we want to make every brick strong. Social equality is possible only through education around the world. Even a child of a labourer can reach the top by working hard. I am happy about the launching of Honhar Scholarship Program. Our children will also progress in those disciplines in which the world is moving forward. Opponents say that this is not Maryam's personal money, it is public money and she is spending it for the public welfare. Even if the parents work hard, they cannot meet expenses of their children education. The state should shoulder this responsibility. There is no need to express gratitude to me this is your money that is being spent for your well being. Now your money will be spent on your education. If the child of a rich person can go to Fast Earnest University, then why not the child of a poor person can attain education over there? Sixty percent of female students
are happy to receive scholarships.”
are happy to receive scholarships.”
CM Punjab said, “When foreign guests congratulate me on becoming the first female Chief Minister of Punjab, Pakistan, it is actually congratulations for every daughter of Punjab. I feel more rejoice then the parents over the children receiving Honhar Scholarships. My father was worried on the risky flight due to bad weather, but I said that my children are waiting for me. I feel more joy to attend the Honhar Scholarship ceremony with the children. By benefiting from Honhar scholarship, every student will become an asset to the country. I urge the children to respect their parents and do not disobey their orders. I became the Chief Minister after the grace and mercy of Allah Almighty and due to the prayers of my parents. The most deserving of love and affection in the world are your parents. I advice the children to continue their studies, we will continue to pave the way for their betterment and well being. Economic background is not in a person’s hands. We cannot eliminate economic disparity, but we can provide equal education. I want children to attain exalted positions after completing education.”
She said, “Pakistan is a great blessing of Allah Almighty, we got everything due to divine blessings. We launched an e-bike program due to the difficulty in college transportation for girls. The Honhar scholarship is a trust of talented youth, there can be no betrayal in it at all. I want our sons and daughters to be no less than anyone. Pakistan deserves your loyalty and love. No matter how much someone provokes, you will never take any step against Pakistan. The stock market has crossed one lakh points for the first time and foreign exchange reserves are also increasing. Every step you take should be towards making the country strong and prosperous. Everyone should pledge to play their due role in the development of our country.”
Meanwhile, CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif attended the Honhar scholarship launching ceremony being held at the Fast National University of Computer and Engineering Science, Islamabad. She arrived at the venue and suddenly mingled among the female students. The students welcomed her with enthusiastic applause. She shook hands with the girls, hugged them and expressed her affection. The girls felt overjoyed to see the Chief Minister among them. She sat among the students of FAST and raised slogans of Pakistan Zindabad. She got removed the boxes and standy for the students.
She distributed cheques among students of five campuses of FAST University and others. Scholarship cheques were also given to students of UET Taxila, Agriculture University, Medical College Rawalpindi and other institutions. A guard of honor was given in honor of the students who received Honhar scholarships. A smartly contingent of Islamabad Police presented a general salute to the talented students. Provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat welcomed CM Punjab. An informative documentary about the Honhar scholarship and a special theme song prepared by the Higher Education were also presented in the ceremony.