LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz formally inaugurated Pakistan’s largest talent scholarship program at Punjab University on Wednesday.
During the event, he distributed scholarship checks to students, launched an e-portal for the program and announced foreign scholarships.
The e-portal will facilitate students in managing their scholarships, ensuring a smooth process. Additionally, the Chief Minister directed the launch of a laptop distribution scheme in January and called for initiatives to provide more e-bikes to students.
A police contingent presented a guard of honor to the scholarship recipients, a token of recognition for their hard work.
Addressing the function, the Chief Minister said, “Honahar Scholarship is a scholarship, of which 30,000 are awarded. The program covers students from both public and private universities, with a significant 32% representation from South Punjab and 18,000 Female recipients included.
Highlighting the inclusiveness of the programme, the Chief Minister said that scholarships will be awarded purely on merit without any political distinction. He also promised to set up campuses of major foreign educational institutions in Nawaz Sharif IT City and announced full financial support for students enrolled in foreign universities.
“This is not just a scholarship programme. It is the beginning of a new era of growth and opportunities for our youth. Empowering our students with knowledge is the best investment we can make for a brighter Pakistan.”
It also announced internships in various government departments, offered a monthly stipend of Rs 60,000, and promised loans of up to Rs 1 crore to help graduates set up their own businesses. Reflecting on the challenges faced by the students, he said, “Youths represent the true face of Pakistan. My heart aches for those misguided in violence or destructive activities. I request all students to Devote yourself to education and contribute to the development of the country.
In her message on World Bank Day, Maryam Nawaz appreciated the role of financial institutions in economic development. He appreciated the cooperation of Punjab Bank and emphasized the importance of a transparent financial system for economic stability.
Meanwhile, Maryam Nawaz expressed deep sorrow over the death of Admiral Yesturul Haq Malik. He expressed his condolences to his family and paid tribute to his professional services while recognizing his services to the nation.