LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday attended a grand passing-out ceremony of enforcement and investigation officers of the PERA Force at the Police Training College, Chuhng.
She observed the flag march of the PERA Force and took a general salute. Motorcycle and special vehicle squads of PERA also participated in the ceremony, carrying the national flag. The chief minister inspected the parade while riding a jeep and administered the oath to PERA Force. Ministers, parliamentarians, officers, jawans, and their families were also present.
The chief minister distributed medals and awards among outstanding trainees, including Rabia Arif, Waheed Azam, Abdullah Safdar, Salman Hameed, Rana Afaq Ahmed, and others.
While addressing the ceremony, Maryam Nawaz announced new legislation to eliminate land grabbing targeting orphans, widows, and underprivileged citizens in the province. She also announced the establishment of special courts to expedite land-grabbing cases, with mandatory resolution within 90 days. The proposed law will include penalties and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for illegal occupants.
“There will be no encroachment on the land of the weak and helpless in Punjab. Wherever injustice occurs, the Punjab government will be there to bring the oppressors to justice,” she said. She administered an oath to PERA Force officials, urging them to serve the public with dedication, never accept bribes and work diligently for public welfare and convenience.
She said that business owners were encouraged to earn fair profits, but profiteering would not be tolerated anywhere in Punjab. She underscored the importance of strict enforcement of government rate lists for essential commodities such as flour, bread, and vegetables.
Maryam Nawaz called upon PERA officials to combat hoarding and safeguard public interest, stressing that corruption-free service was the backbone of PERA’s mission. She urged all personnel to reject bribes, warning that “there is no blessing in corrupt earnings, no matter how much one accumulates.”
The chief minister also praised the Crime Control Department (CCD) for helping restore peace across Punjab. She commended the Punjab Police and the IGP for setting up a modern governance model in the province.
Later, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz met a high-level delegation of Pak Suzuki led by its Managing Director Hiroshi Kawamura. Other members of the delegation included General Manager Akhlaq Ahmed Virk, Syed Wajahat, and Muhammad Zeeshan.
On the occasion, Hiroshi Kawamura presented a cheque worth Rs30 million for the rehabilitation of flood victims. He said Punjab’s leadership had rendered exemplary services in helping those affected.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved a special relief package for students belonging to flood-affected regions. Under this package, semester fees for all students from the affected districts have been waived.
In addition, first-year BS (Bachelor of Studies) students from these regions will also be exempted from admission fees. The package will benefit students from Muzaffargarh, Multan, Lodhran, Vehari, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Chiniot, and Kasur, granting them a full fee waiver for their first academic year.
