Maryam wants Honhaar Scholarships extended to KP, Balochistan

DERA GHAZI KHAN: Punjab Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz has expressed her desire to extend the Honhaar Scholarships programme to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan students.

She also announced the establishment of an incubation centre at Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, and directed authorities to address the educational needs of the university’s students. Speaking at a historic Honhaar Scholarship ceremony in DG Khan on Monday, she said:

“A qualified and hard-working child should never be deprived of higher education due to financial constraints. We are not followers of the May 9 mindset but of May 28. We are Pakistanis, guardians of the nation’s honour and proponents of moral teachings, knowledge, peace, and development. Violence and humiliation have no place in our ideology.”

Criticising the previous government’s performance, she remarked: “For four years, they did nothing for Pakistan’s development. Instead, they incited people to unlawful activities and labelled others as thieves.”

Maryam Nawaz said: “\Decisions like the Honhaar Scholarships are made on merit, and our youth hold the power to shape Pakistan’s future. Those who use abusive language and resort to violence are not your friends.”

“We aim to equip our youth with modern technology to aid their research and learning. Critics label the Honhaar Scholarship program as a drama, but they fail to grasp the depth of the love and trust we share with the youth.”

She highlighted plans to expand the programme further, adding, “Next year, we aim to distribute 50,000 scholarships and include second and third-year students in the programme. We are also receiving applications from KP and Balochistan and will ensure they are included.” She urging the youth to choose the path of peace and development.