Maryam launches Pakistan’s largest scholarship programme

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz formally inaugurated Pakistan’s largest Honhaar Scholarship Programme at the Punjab University on Wednesday.

During the ceremony, she distributed scholarship cheques among students, launched an e-portal for the programme and announced foreign scholarships.

The e-portal will facilitate students in managing their scholarships, ensuring a streamlined process. Additionally, the chief minister directed the launch of a laptop distribution scheme in January and urged steps to provide more e-bikes to students.

A smart police contingent presented a guard of honour to the scholarship recipients, symbolising recognition of their hard work.

Addressing the ceremony, the chief minister said, “The Honhaar Scholarship is a scholarships, out of which 30,000 have been awarded. The programme includes students from both public and private universities, with a significant 32% representation from south Punjab and 18,000 female recipients.

The chief minister highlighted the programme’s inclusivity, saying that scholarships would be awarded purely on merit, without any political discrimination. She also pledged to establish campuses of major foreign educational institutions in Nawaz Sharif IT City and announced full financial support for students admitted to foreign universities.

“This is not merely a scholarship programme; it is the beginning of a new era of development and opportunity for our youth. Empowering our students with knowledge is the best investment we can make for a brighter Pakistan,” she said.

She also announced internships in various government departments, offering a stipend of Rs60,000 per month, and pledged to provide loans of up to Rs1 crore to help graduates establish their businesses. Reflecting on challenges faced by students, she said, “Youth represent the true face of Pakistan. My heart aches for those misled into violence or destructive activities. I urge all students to dedicate themselves to education and contribute to the nation’s progress.”

In her message on the International Day of Banks, Maryam Nawaz praised the role of financial institutions in economic development. She lauded Punjab Bank’s contributions and emphasized the importance of a transparent financial system as a cornerstone of economic stability.

Meanwhile, Maryam Nawaz expressed deep sorrow over the death of Admiral Yastur-ul-Haq Malik. She extended condolences to his family and paid tribute to his professional services, recognising his contributions to the nation.