LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said a country can progress only if 51 per cent (women) of the population actively contributes to national development.

Addressing the passing-out parade of Lady Recruit Course-18 at the Police Training College, Chuhng, here on Thursday, the chief minister said she felt immense pride in the courage and determination displayed by Punjab’s daughters, describing each visit to the training college as an emotional experience.

She praised the recruits for successfully completing rigorous training, including handling heavy weapons. Congratulating the families of the recruits, she said the parents deserved equal recognition for encouraging their daughters to serve the nation despite outdated social norms.

“As capable as these daughters are, equally remarkable are the parents who sent them to serve the country without caring about obsolete traditions,” she said.

The CM said the graduating batch of 1,156 women was the largest in Punjab’s history, while more than 6,000 women were already serving in the Punjab Police.

She said wearing the police uniform marked the beginning of a great responsibility, which had to be fulfilled with honesty, hard work and justice. Although she did not wear the uniform herself, she said she remained fully conscious of its dignity and sanctity.

She said the government was committed to making Punjab’s cities, roads and streets completely safe for women. Expressing satisfaction over the increasing confidence of women travelling independently on scooters, she said girls going to schools, colleges and workplaces no longer needed anyone’s assistance.

“Take out your bike and go, because Punjab is now safe,” she remarked.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2026