DERA GHAZI KHAN: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday expressed her desire to extend the Honhaar Scholarship Programme to students of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan also.

“Requests are also coming from KP students asking for scholarships and I want to provide scholarships to the children of KP and Balochistan,” she says. “I belong to Punjab but I am a Pakistani first,” she underscored her belief in national unity. She expressed her determination to support students from the KP and Balochistan, ensuring they also benefitted from educational initiatives of the Punjab government.

The chief minister was addressing a ceremony for the scholarship distribution in Dera Ghazi Khan.

She reaffirmed her commitment to ensure that no eligible, hardworking and meritorious student remained deprived of higher education due to financial constraints.

Claims that requests for scholarships are coming from KP; raises concerns at dangers of fake news

“We are not the ones who divide. We are the ones who build, educate and promote peace and development.”

She also announced the establishment of an incubation centre at the Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, and directed authorities to fulfill students’ educational requirements.

Ms Nawaz highlighted the significance of education, urging the students to seek blessings from their parents and avoid disrespect, emphasizing that ‘parental satisfaction leads to divine blessings’.

She also raised concerns about the dangers of fake news on social media, advising the students to verify information before believing or sharing it.

Along with other challenges, Pakistan is also facing the issue of fake news,“ she urged the students not to believe everything they saw on social media without doing research.

“While truth is tying its shoelaces, lies circle the world,” she remarked.

Addressing political tensions, Maryam Nawaz said, “We have always prioritised Pakistan’s progress over personal interests. This country is like the mother to us and it deserves loyalty and care, not chaos.” She criticised the previous government for fostering divisions and lamented the harm caused to the youth’s future, saying that her administration’s focus was on education and scholarships

The chief minister assured the audience that the Honhaar scholarships were being distributed purely on merit without any political or personal influence.

“If even one scholarship is proven to have been granted through favouritism, I will resign immediately,” she declared. She also announced plans to distribute 50,000 scholarships next year and extend the programme to second and third-year students. Furthermore, she promised to provide laptops and e-bikes to the students for advancing their education and research.

Addressing the youth directly, she said, “You are not just heroes but super-heroes of this nation. Your efforts and achievements will shape Pakistan’s future”.

The chief minister concluded her address by promising to revisit students soon with more educational resources and initiatives. She urged students to continue working hard and make their parents proud.

She said the initiative reflected the Punjab government’s unwavering commitment to fostering education, empowering the youth, and uniting Pakistan under the shared vision of progress and peace.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2025