LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday announced laptops for position holding students and five buses for Kinnaird College for Women Lahore, reaffirming the government’s commitment to expanding educational and employment opportunities for women.

Addressing the 89th convocation of Kinnaird College, the chief minister said the provincial government was determined to reach every household and ensure that every child had the opportunity to receive an education, regardless of financial circumstances.

She said women should not be discouraged from pursuing professional careers by the expectation that they might neglect their homes. She said providing a conducive and safe environment for women was the government’s responsibility, adding that she had worked over the past three years to make Punjab a more women-friendly province.

Referring to security arrangements on public transport, the chief minister said CCTV cameras and panic buttons had been installed on electric buses to facilitate prompt action against harassment. She urged female students to report such incidents and asked parents to listen to their daughters’ complaints rather than discourage them from speaking out.

She said when she assumed office, 22 universities did not have vice chancellors, but appointments had since been made on merit.

VILLAGES ACT: The Punjab government has decided to introduce the Punjab Prosperous Villages Act 2026 and launched a pilot project in 120 villages to improve rural infrastructure and living conditions.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday.

The chief minister approved the formation of village committees in consultation with elected public representatives and sought an immediate plan for their establishment.

The committees will oversee local development initiatives, with the relevant assistant commissioner serving as their head and the deputy commissioner supervising the committees and projects.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2026