By Our Correspondent
SIALKOT:Knowledge caravan reaches City of Iqbal. Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif launched Honhaar Scholarship Program for the Gujranwala Division. She distributed Honhaar Scholarship cheques among the ten topper students of the university. The students expressed their immense excitement and joy upon her arrival at Government College University (GCWU) Sialkot. She appreciated the students who presented the national anthem, song, recitation of the Holy Quran, Naat-e-Rasool-e-Maqbool (SAW) and expressed her affection to them.
She also had a selfie and a picture with the students who presented Kalam-e-Iqbal. The students enthusiastically applauded when the line “Jawanon Ko Peeron Ka Ustad Kar De” was presented. On the directions of CM Punjab, a guard of honour was presented in honour of the talented students. A smartly turned out contingent of the Punjab Police presented a general salute.
Read more: CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif approves Rs62 billion for Apni Chhat Apna Ghar Programme
She witnessed heartrending emotional scenes over listening educational stories narrated by two students Alina Saeed and Nayab Fatima belonging to remote areas of Gujranwala division. Alina Saeed declared CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif as a great benefactor of students. Nayab Fatima apprised the CM about her mother suffering from cancer.
The Chief Minister expressed her affection with the girl and announced that the Punjab government would take responsibility for her mother’s treatment. A young girl took a selfie with CM Punjab on the stage. She stopped the security and called the students to come near her. She herself went to the assembly members and met them one by one. The Fine Arts students presented a portrait to CM Punjab. The students presented a picture highlighting CM Punjab as an ‘Iron Lady’.
1947 students of Gujranwala division will obtain scholarships worth Rs 8 crore 98 lac. 1276 students of government universities will obtain scholarships worth Rs. 5 crore 85 lac. 481 students of colleges will obtain scholarships worth Rs. 1 crore 32 lac. 112 students of quality private educational institutions and 78 students of medical colleges will also obtain scholarships.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed the authorities concerned to increase number of Honahar scholarships to 50,000 in next year’s budget. She said,”30,000 scholarships are being given to children but they are less, there should be more. Increase meritorious scholarships from 30,000 to 50,000, public money is the trust of people and should be spent on their welfare.” She added,”Very soon, second and third year students will also get meritorious scholarships.”
Madam Chief Minister said,”All children are getting scholarships without any discrimination across Punjab.” She added,”I salute the students who continue to work hard despite lack of resources.” She noted,”I understand the financial difficulties of the parents who educate their children.” She highlighted,”Going above political affiliation, scholarships are being given to everyone on meeit instead of any recommendation. 100% merit has been ensured. Do not thank me for getting a scholarship, it is your right and the fruit of your hard work.” She flagged,”I can swear that i have not made even a single appointment as Chief Minister based on any body’s recommendation.”
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said while addressing the meritorious scholarship ceremony at Government College Women’s University Sialkot, “am extremely proud of my children, congratulations to everyone, I am very happy today.” She added,”Honahar Scholarship is the first and biggest scholarship program in the history of Pakistan.” She underscored,”I am very happy to see the talented sons and daughters.”
Madam Chief Minister said,”The guard of honor is a recognition of the talent and hard work of the students.” She added,”The largest part of Pakistan’s population is youth, my biggest priority is my youth.”
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said,”I have become a Chief Minister today due to the prayers of my parents. However, I do not think for students as a Chief Minister but as a mother.” She added,”I like when you call me mother. It is the duty of a mother to create paths of development for her children.”
Madam Chief Minister said,”All these daughters are our pride, all the topper girls here have proved that girls are not behind in any field.” She added,”Students are all my earnings and my assets.” She made a student sit on her seat, and thanked Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat, Provincial Secretary Higher Education Dr Farrukh Naveed and his entire team for making the Honahar Scholarship Program a success.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said,”It is my responsibility to fulfill all your needs.” She added,”The first batch of laptops has arrived, I will come and give them to you myself very soon.” She underscored,”All children with more than 65% marks will receive laptops.” She noted,”I have myself selected the best laptops available in the market for you.”
Madam Chief Minister said,”The love I received here at the Honahar Scholarship ceremony is a great honor for me.” She added,”In the city of Allama Iqbal, the students have presented ‘Kalam-e-Iqbal’ very well.” She flagged,”Iqbal has specially mentioned youth in his poems.”
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif also said,”One lakh e-bikes will be given to students in Punjab completely free of cost.” She added,”The country’s economy is on the mend, inflation is coming down and the stock market has broken records.” She highlighted,”I wish the fruits of all this now reach you, it is the responsibility of your mother Maryam Nawaz.”
Madam Chief Minister said,”Children, keep your eyes open, do not be misled by anyone, our red line is Pakistan.” She added,”Pakistan is our motherland and mother cannot discriminate between children. You all have to serve this country. Not getting admission in colleges and universities for the hardworking children is worrying for the state. You are all Pakistanis, the state will recognize your merit. I love all my sons and daughters equally. We are all trustees of the honor and sanctity of the country, we should not betray her.” She pointed out,”This is the last chance, will we go ahead or will we always go backward.” She underscored,”Politics should also be seen from the perspective of merit.” She regretted,”They used to raise slogans but till date they could not prove the theft of even a single penny.”
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said,”They kept calling people thieves but there is a case of 190 million pounds against them.” She added,”Each of our children is like a brick in the foundation of the country.” She highlighted,”The youth should pledge that no matter what happens, you will not go against the homeland.”
Madam Chief Minister said,”When Punjab was attacked by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, they thrashed the police and Rangers personnels with nailed sticks.” She questioned,”Can anyone go to this extent in politics?” She added,”Those in uniform, sacrifice their lives for you, they cannot tolerate ridicule.”
