Maryam launches Honhaar Scholarship Programme in Okara

LAHORE: The 8th ceremony of Honhaar Scholarship was held at the University of Okara.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz launched ‘CM Honhaar Scholarship’ in Okara Division on Friday.

She, by handing over cheques to the students, launched Honhaar Scholarship Scheme in Okara.

She unveiled new laptops for the students. The students raised enthusiastic slogans after seeing Core i7, 13th generation of laptops.

The students expressed their profound excitement on the arrival of Punjab CM at the University of Okara. The students stood on their seats and accorded her a warm reception by torching their mobile flashlights.

The chief minister got up from her seat and welcomed the students who held the privilege of reciting the Holy Quran and Naat-e-Rasool-e-Maqbool (SAW). She interacted with the female students among others and gave a seat to the differently-abled female students next to her.

On the direction of the chief minister, a guard of honour was presented in honour of the students who received Honhaar scholarships. A smartly turned-out contingent of police presented a general salute to the students. Muhammad Faisal and Nimra Aziz of Pakpattan narrated the story of their success journey with regard to obtaining Honhaar scholarship.

Punjab CM personally went to meet assembly members belonging to Sahiwal Division. The students presented a portrait of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Ms Kulsoom Nawaz to the chief minister. The students and the young children also presented photographs to her.

During the closing moments of the ceremony, the students gathered around and took selfies with Punjab CM.

As many as 1438 students of Sahiwal Division will be given more than Rs 7 crore 29 lac Honhaar scholarships and 294 students of Sahiwal University will be given Honhaar Scholarships worth Rs1 crore 25 lac and 110 students of University of Okara will be given Honhaar Scholarships worth Rs42 lac 31 thousand while 486 students of the University of Veterinary Animal Sciences will be given Honhaar Scholarships worth Rs4 crore 16 lac and 487 students of Government Colleges in Sahiwal Division will be given Honhaar Scholarships more than Rs1 crore 16 lac. 61 students of Sahiwal Medical College will be given Honhaar scholarships worth Rs 29 lac 29 thousand.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced the construction of a medical college, girls’ hostel and underpass in Okara. She also exhibited Core i7 laptops purchased for the students. She made an enthusiastic speech at the University of Okara and congratulated the students. She announced to complete projects of the University of Okara under her supervision along with introducing laptops for the students soon. She said, “The largest scholarship programme in the history of Pakistan was named ‘Honhaar Scholarship’ by herself. Okara is a beautiful city and is very close to Nawaz Sharif and my heart. I cannot express in words the amount of joy by seeing talented students in Okara. I have come to talk to the children from the core of my heart. Provincial Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has earned profound appreciation from the children.”

Punjab CM said, “It is the foremost responsibility of the Punjab government to give laptops to children who cannot afford to buy. I will myself give laptops to the children by visiting them. We will also provide one lakh e-bikes to the children for college transportation. Not everyone has the same financial resources but now we will share their financial burden by giving them scholarships. Parents should not worry about the education of their children, now the state will bear the expenses.”

She said, “The people should have direct access with those holding public offices. The talented students are getting scholarships without any discrimination on merit. Now even children with low incomes can study in LUMS, NUST and FAST universities.” CM Punjab said, “Second and third year students will also get Honhaar scholarships. We will give Honhaar scholarships to 50 thousand students next year.”

CM Punjab said, “He is the first Prime Minister in the history who was caught red-handed while stealing. He will be the first Prime Minister who was overthrown on getting bribe. The stock market rose 100 points high as soon as the verdict was announced. When sedition goes down, the nation progresses. We faced 150 trials and bravely fought against false accusations. My cell in Adiala Jail was monitored by cameras. When we were in jail, we could not meet our family. We got food once in 24 hours.