LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday categorically declined to apologise for her recent outburst against the PPP, a key coalition partner of the PMLN at Centre.
The war of words, which began over flood compensation through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), between PPP and PMLN further intensified after the Punjab CM, during an event in Faisalabad, dismissed PPP’s objection over the contentious canal project on the Indus River.
PPP has been calling for the provision of aid to flood victims via BISP — a proposition turned down by the Punjab government.
Speaking at a ceremony in Lahore, CM Maryam said she would respond whenever Punjab was attacked. She added: “As chief minister, if I don’t speak for Punjab, then who will?”
Addressing the event, the Punjab CM said that during the floods, she was lectured to seek international aid, but she would never ask her people to beg with a bowl in hands, nor would she allow their dignity to be compromised.
Referring to the May 9 events, CM Maryam said that whoever encourages you to burn and surround is your “biggest enemy”.
Without naming incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan, she said: “On May 9, children were asked to attack the country, but their own children are sitting outside.”
Highlighting her government’s performance, she said: “I have put a full stop to favouritism and rigging.”
Examination centres in Punjab were not sold now, she added.
The Punjab CM said that she is accountable to Allah Almighty and then to the people of Punjab.
Maryam Nawaz honoured 408 top achievers from nine educational boards at a ceremony held at Home Economics University, reaffirming her government’s commitment to recognising academic excellence and nurturing young talent.
In a symbolic gesture, the chief minister personally congratulated the position holders, while a record cash prize of Rs173.8 million was distributed among them. First position holders received Rs500,000 each along with medals and commendation certificates; second position holders were awarded Rs300,000 each, while third position holders received Rs100,000 each.
On Maryam Nawaz’s directions, a Guard of Honour was presented by a contingent of Punjab Police to celebrate the students’ achievements. The ceremony also featured cultural and spiritual performances, including recitations, Naats, and poetry of Allama Iqbal and Sufi poets.
A particularly moving moment came when the audience applauded the example of a Christian teacher’s Muslim student and vice versa, reflecting interfaith harmony and unity in Punjab’s education system.
The chief minister lauded the hard work of students, teachers, and parents, describing the ceremony as a “celebration of merit, diversity, and the bright future of Punjab.”
The Punjab CM also announced a series of major education reforms, pledging to establish centres of excellence across the province, introduce a school transport programme, and bear the educational expenses of all position holders from Punjab’s nine educational boards. She said laptops and digital resources would also be provided to distinguished students, while 6,000 new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) labs will be set up to strengthen modern learning. She said the Punjab government would also provide free uniforms, upgrade classrooms, toilets, and clean drinking water facilities in every school within six months, and organise sports competitions in all educational institutions.
Maryam announced 80,000 merit scholarships for talented students, particularly those from poor, orphaned, and underprivileged backgrounds. “Education is the greatest equaliser; once you acquire knowledge, the distinction between rich and poor vanishes,” she said.
She cited the newly built Chakwal Centre of Excellence — providing free education to 1,400 needy and orphan students — and Lahore’s new early childhood centre as models for future projects, promising facilities that rival the private sector.
Defending her government’s merit-based approach, Maryam vowed to end “recommendation culture” in public institutions, revealing she personally oversees key interviews. “If someone brings a recommendation for any post, I mark a red cross against it,” she remarked, adding that contracts awarded on political influence had been cancelled.
Maryam Nawaz announced a series of landmark social, educational, and security initiatives, pledging to make Punjab the safest and most progressive province, while also ensuring transparency in relief efforts for flood victims.
Highlighting women’s safety, she said a dedicated Crime and Harassment Control Division (CCD) had been established, which along with other security measures had led to a decline in crime across districts. She reaffirmed her government’s resolve to provide safe transport for female students by reserving compartments in electric buses — already operational in Mianwali and being extended to other cities including Wazirabad, DG Khan, and Faisalabad.
Maryam announced Rs80 billion for upgrading schools with classrooms, furniture, clean water, and computer labs, alongside a Rs9 billion school meal programme in northern and southern Punjab. Around one million students are also receiving milk boxes under nutrition initiatives. She pledged to establish STEM labs across the province to teach robotics, AI, coding, and machine learning, saying Punjab’s children “must be prepared for global competition”.
Encouraging inclusivity, she praised women leaders in her cabinet, highlighted the appointment of the first woman commissioner in Lahore, and urged families not to discourage daughters from pursuing education. She also encouraged minority students to aspire for leadership roles, calling education “the greatest equaliser”.
The CM stressed that uplift projects like electric buses, quality schools, housing schemes, and metro services were proof of Punjab’s progress. She rejected misinformation on social media and criticised those inciting youth towards violence.
Turning to flood relief, she said door-to-door surveys of flood victims were in full swing across 27 districts, with 1,602 teams collecting verified data on crop losses, damaged houses, and perished livestock. She assured full transparency, vowing that “no flood victim will be denied their due rights.” Financial assistance will begin next week through the Bank of Punjab following verification.
“My job is to protect the lives, property, and self-respect of Punjab’s people. I will always raise my voice for them,” Maryam said.
