SIALKOT:
Launching the Honhaar Scholarship Program for Gujranwala division by distributing checks among the top 10 students of Government College Women University (GCWU), Sialkot, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced that all students with scores above 65% will receive laptops.
The Punjab Police contingent presented a guard of honor to the students.
The chief minister announced that the Punjab government would take responsibility for the cancer treatment of a student’s mother.
As per the scheme, 1,947 students of Gujranwala division will receive scholarships worth Rs 89.8 million, including 1,276 students of government colleges who will receive Rs 58.5 million, 481 students of colleges worth Rs 13.2 million, 112 students from private institutions and 78 from medical schools.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said on the occasion that she had directed the authorities concerned to increase the number of Honhaar scholarships to 50,000 in the next year’s budget.
He said 30,000 scholarships were being awarded to children, but there should be more. He said public money should be spent on their welfare.
He added: “Very soon, second and third year students will also get meritorious scholarships.”
The Prime Minister said: “I salute the students who continue to work hard despite the lack of resources. I understand the financial difficulties of parents educating their children.”
He stressed: “Beyond political affiliation, scholarships are being awarded to everyone on their own merit and not based on any recommendation. Don’t thank me for getting a scholarship, it is your right and the fruit of your hard work.”
He said Honhaar was the largest scholarship program in the history of Pakistan.
He added: “Most of the population of Pakistan are young people, my biggest priority is my youth.”
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said, “It is my responsibility to meet all your needs. The first batch of laptops has arrived, I will come and deliver them to you myself very soon.”
He stressed that “all children with grades above 65% will receive laptops.” And she added: “I myself have selected for you the best laptops available on the market.”
The prime minister said that the students had presented ‘Kalam-e-Iqbal’ very well in the city of the poet who had highlighted the importance of youth.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also said that 100,000 e-bikes would be provided to the students of Punjab for free.”
And he added: “The country’s economy is improving, inflation is falling and the stock market has broken records. I hope that the fruits of all this reach you now.”
The Prime Minister also advised the students: “Children, keep your eyes open, don’t be fooled by anyone, our red line is Pakistan. Pakistan is our motherland and mother cannot discriminate between children. You all have to serve this country”.
