TOBA TEK SINGH: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday launched a laptop scheme for students at Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF) and announced that 40,000 latest-model laptops will be given across the province.

She also inaugurated the CM Honhaar Scholarship Scheme in Faisalabad division and distributed scholarship cheques to deserving students. Upon her arrival at GCUF’s new campus, the venue echoed with welcome slogans. She greeted assembly members and later joined the students in singing the national anthem, “Ye Watan Hamara Hai, Hum Hai Pasban Iske,” creating an emotional atmosphere.

Maryam Nawaz engaged with students, personally meeting a girl who requested to present her portrait. The students gifted her a portrait of her late mother, Ms. Kalsoom Nawaz, and a dupatta adorned with the slogan “Honhaar” and her father Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s name, which she displayed on stage.

For the first time, on her instructions, female police officers presented a guard of honor to the students. At the end of the ceremony, she walked among the students, interacting and taking selfies with them.

She assured the audience that scholarships worth more than Rs201.19 million will be distributed among 4,690 students of Faisalabad division. As many as 3,211 students from public sector universities in the division will receive merit scholarships totalling Rs176.2m.

Maryam announced that Rs2.8m in merit scholarships will be awarded to 101 students from private universities, while 1,378 students from public sector colleges in Faisalabad division will receive scholarships worth Rs22m.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2025