Maryam launches country’s largest primary school nutrition programme

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday inaugurated the country’s first and largest primary school nutrition programme. The chief minister visited the Government Primary School MC One in Dera Ghazi Khan to formally launch the initiative. She toured various classrooms, personally distributing milk boxes to students.

During the briefing, Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat informed the chief minister that the ‘Chief Minister Primary School Nutrition Programme’ pilot project has been launched in three districts of South Punjab: Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, and Muzaffargarh.

“Over 400,000 malnourished students will receive nutritious milk packs,” Hayat said, adding, “Students from 3,527 primary schools in these districts will be provided a 175ml milk pack daily.” The children would be encouraged to return the empty milk packs to their schools. The proceeds from recycling these packs will be invested back into the respective schools.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz formally launched Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar Programme by initiating the balloting process. A total of 185 applicants were declared successful in balloting for the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar Programme in Dera Ghazi Khan. A total of 1,778 people applied for the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar Programme in DG Khan. The first installment of loans will be provided to successful applicants by September 15.