LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said that no force could stop Pakistan from moving forward if the political and military leadership remained committed to the country’s progress and stability.

She was addressing the 21st Convocation of the Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) here on Tuesday.

The event was also attended by Provincial Minister for School and Higher Education Rana Sikandar Hayat, alongside academicians, parents, graduates and guests.

LCWU Vice Chancellor Dr Uzma Qureshi presented annual report of the university, highlighting progress in academics, research, innovation, digital transformation and women empowerment initiatives.Controller Examination Afsheen Kashif briefed that degrees were conferred upon students of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programmes from both the main campus and affiliated colleges of the varsity.

A total of 4,631 graduates received bachelor degrees in various subject, 533 received MS/M.Phil./MBA degrees and 73 scholars were awarded PhD degrees.

Awards and medals for batch 2025 were also distributed, including Vice Chancellor’s Gold Medal, three Special Gold Medals, 66 Academic Gold Medals, 60 Academic Silver Medals, 47 Academic Bronze Medals, 524 Academic Roll of Honour Awards and 16 Co-Curricular and Sports Roll of Honour Awards.

Addressing the ceremony, the chief minister said one labelled as a country associated with terrorism and the Taliban, now Pakistan is a mediator among major nations.

She added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s foresight had helped the country avoid any petroleum crisis.

The CM said participating in the LCWU convocation is a matter of pride for her as she herself did her master’s degree in English from the institution.

“No society can progress without women,” she remarked, adding that women are serving in key positions as commissioners, deputy commissioners and senior police officers across Punjab, while she has women in her cabinet, who are “among the most hardworking members” of the government.

“I have complete confidence in the strength and abilities of the daughters of this nation,” she said.

“Women are not less capable than men in any field.”

Ms Nawaz said the government had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against harassment of women and vowed not to rest until perpetrators were brought to justice, adding that “panic buttons” are being installed at various locations for women’s protection.

A dedicated system was also being developed to curb online harassment against women, she added. The chief minister urged the parents to support their daughters in cases of harassment.

She said that she was happy over the completion of 100,000 houses under the “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” programme.

“In today’s era of technology and artificial intelligence, education without laptops is impossible,” she said, adding that children should have laptops in their hands instead of petrol bombs and slingshots.

She said around 100,000 students had received Honhaar scholarships, while 30,000 electric bikes had already been distributed among students in Punjab, announcing that 100,000 more e-bikes would be provided to students next year.

She said the green bus service was being expanded to colleges and universities for the convenience of students.

Recalling recent tensions with India, the CM said the entire nation had stood united “like Bunyanum Marsoos”.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2026