LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced the launch of Apna Khhet, Apna Rozgar project aimed at providing employment opportunities to poor and unemployed citizens.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of an electric bus service in Rajanpur on Wednesday, she announced that 250,000 acres of agricultural land would be allocated to deserving and unemployed individuals, with each beneficiary receiving between three and five acres. She announced that farmers under the scheme would be issued Kisan Cards to facilitate crop cultivation, enabling them to obtain fertilisers, pesticides and seeds. She announced the establishment of Centres of Excellence in every tehsil. The chief minister directed that steps be taken to launch green bus services in all tehsils of Punjab within one year.
She said former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had conveyed a special message of affection for the people of Rajanpur, adding that Rajanpur held a close place in his heart. Rejecting the perception of Rajanpur as Punjab’s last district, she said Punjab began from Rajanpur. She said Rajanpur was no longer a backward district of south Punjab and that underdevelopment was coming to an end, with state-of-the-art electric buses now operating in the district, similar to Lahore.
The chief minister said 72 roads were being constructed in Rajanpur at a cost of Rs12 billion. She announced that like Rajanpur, 2,600 modern and future-ready bus stands were being built across Punjab. She appreciated the efforts of the provincial transport minister, secretary transport and their team, stating that 500 green buses were already operational in Punjab, 1,100 more would arrive soon and another 1,500 buses would be introduced within the year. She said green buses would operate on every route in Rajanpur. The service has been launched on the 22-kilometre Fazilpur-Rajanpur route and 18-kilometre Kot Mithan-Rajanpur route. Each bus is equipped with wheelchair access and an automatic ramp. The buses will have a standard fare of Rs20.
The CM said no road in Rajanpur would remain unpaved in the near future. She announced that cath labs are being established in 20 cities, including Rajanpur, so that cardiac patients don’t need to travel to major cities.
She said 170,000 houses would be completed this year under the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar project. Highlighting welfare initiatives, she said public service is being delivered through schemes including Himmat Card, Kisan Card, Minority Card and Ration Card, while 1.5 million workers are being provided with a monthly stipend of Rs3,000. She said the ration card programme would be expanded to benefit up to 30 million people. Referring to public celebrations, she said as Lahore is celebrating Basant, the entire Punjab shares the joy because people felt cared for. She emphasized accountability in governance and said negligence and indifference could not be tolerated.
Earlier, on her arrival in Rajanpur, the chief minister travelled on an electric bus from DHQ Kitab Chowk to PCB Chowk Chain Mari. Minister for Mines Sher Ali Gorchani expressed gratitude for Suthra Punjab, improved law and order and recruitment in the Border Military Police. Minister for Transport Bilal Akbar Khan briefed the ceremony about the electric bus project, stating that 15 buses are operating on three routes in Rajanpur, including Rajanpur-Fazilpur, Rajanpur-Kot Mithan and the City Circular Road.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) President Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz met Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan Dr Reza Amiri Moghadam and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
The meeting focused on bilateral ties, trade, energy cooperation and regional situation. Both leaders expressed their resolve to deepen Pakistan-Iran relations and enhance cooperation in various sectors. Welcoming the Iranian ambassador, Maryam invited Iranian investors to explore investment opportunities in Punjab, particularly in agriculture, information technology and tourism. She reiterated her commitment to expanding economic and social linkages between the two countries.
Dr Moghadam thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for their support and cooperation, and appreciated the warm reception extended to him.
Nawaz said that keeping the door to dialogue open could help resolve even the most complex issues. He praised Iran for confronting challenges with courage and resilience and said he would accompany the chief minister on a future visit to Iran to “salute the bravery of the Iranian nation”. He said Iran and its people remain in his prayers and good wishes.
The Iranian ambassador described Pakistan and Iran as “two bodies and one soul”. He noted that Sharif’s role is vital for the unity of Islamic world and the promotion of Pakistan-Iran relations. He said the Iranian nation prayed for Sharif’s health and safety, adding that Iran viewed him as a pillar of Pakistan’s stability and security. He said Pakistan and Iran shared the same region, community and deep-rooted bonds, and expressed gratitude to the chief minister for facilitating matters related to the Persian language and Iranian students.
