‘Real empowerment comes through confidence, skills’

FAISALABAD: Under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s flagship Skilled Punjab Initiative, the government has launched the “Main Digital” (I’m Digital) programme in Faisalabad to empower rural women through digital training and financial support.

Punjab Minister for Health and Population Welfare Khawaja Imran Nazir inaugurated the programme by distributing desktops and devices among 26 female participants. He praised CM Maryam Nawaz’s commitment to women empowerment and said this initiative would be a game-changer for educated women seeking home-based income opportunities. He encouraged the families to support their daughters and emphasised that real empowerment came through confidence and skills, not slogans. Chairperson of CM’s Task Force on Skills Development Adnan Afzal Chattha said that 1,000 i3 13th Generation desktop computers would be distributed by June.

As part of the initiative, postgraduate and graduate women from villages were being provided with desktop computers and internet devices, along with six months of online earning training and a monthly stipend of Rs 30,000. The event was attended by Col (retd) Amjad, the father of tech prodigy Arfa Karim, ADCG Tayyab Sami, CEO Health Mirza Akbar Hussain and representatives from marketing and training teams.

Khawaja Imran Nazir also visited the Maryam Nawaz Health Clinic at Chak 189 and Faisalabad District Jail to inspect healthcare services, staff attendance, and prisoner facilities.

STUDENTS ASKED TO PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR COMPETITION: Civil Services Academy Lahore Director General Farhan Aziz Khawaja has encouraged the students to prepare themselves for competition no matter you succeed or not, but the journey will change your life with out-of-the-box thinking, and enhanced capabilities to fight the odds and work for the development of the country.

He addressed the students at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad and delivered a lecture titled career counselling for CSS aspirants. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali was the guest of honour on the occasion. The event arranged by the Civil Services Academy Lahore and the Directorate of Financial Assistance and University Advancement, UAF. The Pakistan Civil Services Academy (CSA) has launched its National Outreach Program aimed at encouraging university students to pursue careers in civil services, bridging gap between academic institutions and Pakistan’s public administration.

Farhan Aziz Khawaja delivered an in-depth lecture tracing the history of civil services. He briefed about the evolution of administrative governance by referencing Plato’s Philosopher King Theory, and explained its influence on the British colonial structure that laid the foundations for Pakistan’s current civil services framework. He explained that today’s structure comprises 12 service groups, including the Pakistan Administrative Service, Foreign Service of Pakistan, and Police Service of Pakistan.

Responding to student inquiries, Khawaja addressed several pertinent topics, including the distinction between federal and provincial civil services, the quota system for armed forces personnel, and the essential skills required to excel in CSS.

Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali urged the students to leave no stone unturned to sharpen their capabilities. He added that it was a world of competition and hardworking and innovative thinking patterns were essential to excel in the life. He urged the students to devote themselves for the learning and sharpen their skills which is grantee of a bright future.

STATE LAND RETRIEVED: The Forest Department conducted a major anti-encroachment operation at Chak 534/GB, recovering 40 acres of illegally occupied forest land.

Over 100 acres have been reclaimed so far in the Jaranwala region under the CM Maryam Nawaz’s directives. Plantation activities are under way on previously retrieved land.