Maryam announces Rs2bn package for rural women

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has taken another historic step for the financial empowerment and socio-economic development of women living in villages of southern Punjab.

Chairing a meeting here on Saturday, she said: “As many as 11,000 poor wemen living in villages will be given buffaloes and cows with a budget of Rs2 billion in 12 districts of southern Punjab. As many as 4,870 cattle will be given under an unprecedented program. The CM Punjab Livestock Assets Program aims to increase milk production and provide employment to rural women at home. Rural women in Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Layyah, Kot Addu, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Vehari, Rahim Yar Khan and Bahawalpur will get free cattle for a better livelihood. Divorced and widowed poor women up to the age of 55 can also apply through the related app while sitting at home. The women can also contact the Chief Minister Facilitation Desk at the Animal Hospital to get free cattle.”

She said: “Elimination of poverty gap between villages and cities is our resolve. Economic development is also the right of a daughter living in a village. Equal economic opportunities are being provided in cities and villages. Whether a woman lives in a city or a village, education, health and employment are her basic rights.”

The chief minister highlighted: “Large-scale tree plantation and environmental projects are being launched under the Punjab Green Program. We have a comprehensive plan to plant 42 million trees on 50,869 acres under the Chief Minister Plant for Pakistan Initiative and 1.375 million trees are being planted on 3,790 acres of forest wasteland under the CM Agroforestry Initiative. The scope of Green Pakistan Program has been expanded and plantation of 466.463 million trees on 251,000 acres continues. Plantation of 5 million trees in rows on 10,223 miles in the canal areas of Punjab has been activated. Provision of world-class facilities for the promotion of eco-tourism in the Lal Suhanra National Park and Salt Range are being ensured.”

She said: “Wireless network, digital cameras, GPS devices and CCTV cameras are being provided for eco-tourism. Construction of an eco-friendly LEED certified multi-storey building has been started to establish a protected Nature area and modern facilities have been provided for the staff. A shielding summits program for disaster prevention in the mountains of Murree and Kahuta, recruitment of 600 fire watchers and provision of fire vehicles and watch towers are being ensured. Restoration of forest tracks and construction of tanks for spring water are also part of the project. A modern GIS-based protection system has been introduced as immediate detection of fire and encroachment is possible with drone, satellite and LIDAR technology.”

“A digital communication cell has been established. Modern monitoring equipment and additional staff are being provided to the Monitoring and Evaluation Wing of the Forest Department. Digital tree enumeration in the form of rows and GIS-based survey has been started in Punjab. Modern machinery has been purchased for forestry work and the process of plantation and forestry operations has been accelerated. Establishment of 104 Forest Command & Control Centres for 24-hour monitoring across the province is significantly increasing the capacity for forest protection.”

Meanwhile, the chief minister on Saturday handed over cheques of prize money to sanitation workers for their unprecedented and lightning-fast sanitation services on the Eid-ul-Azha. She had announced a reward of Rs10,000 each for the workers for the best sanitation arrangements on the three Eid days. A magnificent tribute was paid to sanitation workers at splendid ceremonies held in 123 Tehsils across Punjab. The sanitation workers danced with joy to the beat of drums. They were overwhelmed over an unprecedented reception for them. Public representatives along with commissioners, deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners participated in the ceremonies. On the CM direction, a sumptuous meal was also served to the sanitation workers. Cakes were cut in different cities in their honour. A sanitation worker said: “I can’t believe such an event can happen for us too.” Another said: “Thank you Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, we can never forget these moments of happiness.”

In her message, Maryam said: “Sanitation workers are the beauty of our society. Cleanliness arrangements under the Clean Punjab Program on the Eid-ul-Azha were appreciated across the country. Credit for the success of cleanliness campaign goes to the sanitation workers as they continued to work even in the scorching heat. On behalf of the people of Punjab, I pay my heartfelt tribute to sanitation workers. Their hard work and dedication is worthy of imitation by others. An example of fast-paced sanitation was set on Eid, which will be remembered for a long time.” On the CM’s direction, a documentary film related to the Eid-ul-Azha Clean Punjab program was also shown at the ceremonies.

Message: Maryam Nawaz has said: “Be it happiness or sadness, loneliness or separation, music is capable of expressing every emotion.” In her message on the World Music Day, she said: “Pakistani artists have given international recognition to oriental music. The Information and Culture Department is training and supporting young artists at the Alhamra Arts Council. Financial assistance to needy artists is being provided under the Artist Fund for Arts and Music. Music becomes an ambassador of peace and conveys a message of love across borders.”