LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has expressed gratitude over the successful organization of the Basant festival and lauded the administration, police and 15 departments for their collective efforts.
Addressing a meeting here on Monday, she said that after saluting the people, she also thanked Nawaz Sharif who gave the vision of uniting people through festivals and celebrating happiness together. The revival of Punjab’s great culture is credited to the people of Lahore. The three-day Basant festival brought back joy not only to Lahore but across Pakistan. Many Basant-related activities were cancelled following the tragic incident in Islamabad. She said her heart is saddened. “Enemies of the country cannot tolerate peace, calm and happiness here. We will not be afraid and will continue to confront them,” she said.
The chief minister said she feels immense happiness seeing Lahoris celebrating. Generation Z visited the Walled City of Lahore for the first time, leaving behind laptops and iPads to celebrate joyfully.
A large number of high commissioners, consuls general and diplomats visited Lahore to celebrate Basant. International media not only covered the festival but also highlighted the positive image of Punjab and Pakistan through prominent headlines.
The chief minister thanked the media for their comprehensive coverage. She said the Basant festival strengthened Punjab’s cultural identity. The public completely ignored calls for protests and strikes. People from Karachi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan came to Lahore to celebrate Basant. “Not only rooftops but hearts of Lahore’s people were also connected,” she said.
The chief minister said it gives her happiness thatpeople set aside differences and connected with one another. Generation Z adopted positive behaviour by rejecting negativity and abusive language. She said calls for strikes failed completely and no shutdown occurred anywhere in Punjab. She said the government provided 1.4 million free safety rods for motorcycles. The people of Lahore fully complied with government SOPs.
She said further reforms are being introduced in Punjab Police. She said 2.6 million people benefited from free transport, while 1 million vehicles entered Lahore during Basant. She said Basant became a good source of income for people ahead of Ramadan.
She said despite millions stepping out during Basant, no incident of harassment against women was reported. She expressed solidarity with the victims of bombing and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, adding that she suspended all activities after the incident.
She said Basant holds great importance in Punjab’s culture. While the nation is grieved by the suicide attack, Punjab is moving forward with respect for law, development and positive social change.
Meanwhile, Maryam met World Bank President Ajay Banga who called on her along with a delegation. The chief minister welcomed the delegation. During the meeting, both sides discussed enhancing cooperation in the sectors of health, education, Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar, Suthra Punjab and climate resilience. The ongoing World Bank-supported projects in Punjab were reviewed, and the overall partnership between the Punjab government and the World Bank was discussed in detail.
Ajay appreciated Maryam’s welfare initiatives and termed the ongoing tourism, education, health and skill development projects in Punjab commendable. The World Bank delegation assured continued support and investment for climate resilience, digital governance and inclusive development in the province. Maryam said the Punjab government values its partnership with the World Bank.
She said the World Bank’s collaboration would not only strengthen IT infrastructure in the province but also stimulate economic growth. The CM said initiatives such as the Nawaz Sharif IT City, global IT certifications and e-procurement are improving governance systems. She highlighted improvements in irrigation systems with World Bank assistance, the provision of affordable housing through the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar programme, and the launch of social welfare schemes such as the Nigehban Package and Himmat Card for deserving segments of society.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-N President Nawaz Sharif on Monday met Uzbek Ambassador Ali Sher Takhtayev. Matters of mutual interest and ways to enhance bilateral economic cooperation were discussed during the meeting.
The Uzbek ambassador delivered a letter from President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Nawaz. In his letter, the Uzbek president wrote that Nawaz Sharif is a patriotic son of Pakistan who has initiated landmark projects for the welfare of Pakistani people. The letter appreciated the public welfare initiatives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Shavkat invited Nawaz and Maryam to visit Uzbekistan.
