LAHORE/LALAMUSA: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced the launch of a special “Maryam Ko Batain” programme during Ramazan to provide immediate financial assistance to deserving families.
In a message posted on X on Monday, she said the programme would be launched from the first of Ramazan to ensure prompt support for people facing financial hardship. Under the initiative, each eligible individual will be able to receive financial assistance up to Rs10,000 within 24 hours. She said a dedicated helpline, 1000, would become functional from the start of Ramazan, enabling needy citizens to apply for assistance. Applicants will also be able to request aid by entering their CNIC number on a web portal or mobile application, after which verification will be carried out through a transparent digital system. The chief minister said the programme would include live tracking, digital record keeping and monitoring to ensure transparency. Registered applicants under the PSER database will receive funds within 24 hours, while verification and registration of new applicants will be completed within four days. During Ramazan, the government would ensure access to state resources for every deserving individual in need of assistance.
Later, addressing a ceremony at the University of Gujrat for distribution of Honhaar Scholarships and Laptops, she urged youths to safeguard the country, refrain from violence and protect public property, saying that the nation’s future rested in the hands of its youths. She said students were the “real heroes and chief guests” of the event, adding that their enthusiasm and confidence reflected a bright future for the country. The scholarship and laptop event is not a routine ceremony but a celebration of the students’ achievements. She said no child would be deprived of education due to lack of resources and that all awards had been granted purely on merit without any political consideration.
The chief minister said 2026 had been declared the “Year of Youth”, adding that the students would lead the country in the future as doctors, engineers and scientists. She urged them to dream big and said the government would stand behind them “like a rock”.
Referring to national unity, she said citizens must protect every inch of the country, avoid riots and refrain from setting public property or green belts on fire. She stressed that political differences should not be turned into personal hostility and advised the students never to mock anyone’s illness or personal hardships.
She called for removing hatred, misinformation and divisive politics from public life, saying that prayers should be offered for the recovery of the sick regardless of political differences. Highlighting youth initiatives, she said the students in Punjab were being provided scholarships, laptops, transport facilities and skills support to improve education and employment opportunities. She said she was proud of the passion shown by the students at the ceremony, adding that their spirit strengthened her belief that the future of every son and daughter of Pakistan was bright.
Maryam received a warm welcome during her visit to the university. She interacted with the students, sat among female students and joined them on stage to sing the national anthem upon their request. The students presented patriotic songs, while one student paid a poetic tribute to her. She later distributed laptops and scholarship cheques among the students from various educational institutions of the Gujranwala Division. According to a briefing, 2,904 students in the division received laptops, while 843 were awarded Honhaar Scholarships. At the UoG, 846 students received laptops and 268 were granted scholarships. Nawaz Sharif Medical College Gujrat’s 47 students received laptops and nine were awarded scholarships. Government College Women University Sialkot’s 512 students received laptops and 160 were awarded scholarships. Similarly, 281 students from University of Narowal received laptops and 90 were awarded scholarships, while Punjab University of Technology Rasul in Mandi Bahauddin’s 12 students received laptops and six were granted scholarships. Officials said that in the first phase of the Honhaar Scholarship programme, 30,000 students were being awarded scholarships, while in phase two, another 20,000 scholarships would be granted to students up to the eighth semester.
Before the arrival of the CM, the University of Gujrat was turned into a high-security zone, leaving several scholarship winners sidelined by the very security meant to protect them. While Maryam arrived at 3pm to distribute laptops and scholarships, the main venue was locked down hours earlier. Police contingents blocked all entry and exit points while bomb disposal squads and sniffer dogs repeatedly swept the academic blocks and the main venue. Drones hovered overhead maintaining a constant aerial watch.
Despite the grand setup, the day was marred by complaints from female students. Many who had traveled from affiliated colleges found themselves barred from the main venue. The security staff refused entry to those without specific official passes, even if they were there to receive awards. While these students did eventually get their laptops and scholarship cheques, they were forced to wait outside, being unable to attend the ceremony.
