Punjabi to be introduced as subject in schools: Maryam

LAHORE : Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced the introduction of Punjabi as a subject in schools.

She expressed gratitude to the people of Punjab for entrusting her with the position of chief minister, saying that this honour bestowed respect upon her as their sister and daughter. She congratulated the Punjabi community on her election, marking a historic moment for Indian and Pakistani Punjab.

Addressing a ceremony held at Al Hamra Hall for Punjab Culture Day Saturday, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasised the resilience of Punjabi women, highlighting their role as pillars of strength within their families. She encouraged parents to teach their children the Punjabi language and pledged support for the revival of Punjabi cinema.

She stressed the importance of preserving Punjabi culture to safeguard the language's heritage. She advocated for Punjabi cultural celebrations at all levels of education and underscored the need to promote linguistic pride among Punjabis.

Reflecting on the rich cultural tapestry of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz lamented the decline in pride associated with the Punjabi language. She urged parents to instill a sense of cultural identity in their children to prevent the language from fading into obscurity.

The chief minister called for a renewed focus on Punjabi cinema, emphasising its role in preserving cultural traditions. She highlighted the contributions of renowned Punjabi poets and expressed admiration for poets across the border, including Amrita Pritam.

Provincial Minister for Information and Culture, Azma Bokhari, welcomed Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and praised her commitment to promoting Punjabi culture. The ceremony featured traditional attire and performances by artists, with prizes awarded to students for their contributions to cultural activities.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Chief Secretary, Secretary of Information and Culture, and other officials attended the event, reaffirming their dedication to cultural development under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's leadership.

She also visited the handicrafts exhibition at Al Hamra and toured traditional Punjabi food stalls. She expressed interest in Gandhara art samples from Taxila and observed samples of woodwork, string art, camel bone crafts, and pencil paintings. Maryam Nawaz appreciated the craftsmanship of Punjab's Gote Kanari and Chinri dresses.

Furthermore, she witnessed name writing on rice, brass handicrafts, bamboo artworks, and pottery made by local artisans.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz observed the process of spinning yarn on a spinning wheel and tried it herself. She also showed interest in Khadi clothing production and personally purchased a set of traditional bangles from a stall. The CM inaugurated a painting exhibition at Al Hamra Art Gallery, commending the artists for their work reflecting Punjab's culture.

She attended a ceremony at Al Hamra Hall, where Hina Nasrullah presented special Sufi poetry, highlighting Punjab's cultural heritage. Traditional Punjabi dances, including Geeda, Dhamal, and Bhangra, were performed, along with Punjabi folk songs by Arif Lohar and other singers. Folk artists showcased mystical dances depicting Punjab's culture.