LAHORE: Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif addresses a ceremony.
Punjab CM says she personally oversees interviews for key posts No favouritism will be tolerated under any circumstances PPP likely to take up Punjab issues in National Assembly today.
LAHORE/ISLAMABAD – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday declared that defending the dignity of her province is her duty and one she will never apologise for.
Speaking at a ceremony held to honour position-holders of educational boards, the chief minister said it was her responsibility to respond firmly to anyone who disrespects the people of Punjab.
“Anyone who tries to divide Punjab’s people is not a true friend of the province. My mission is to bind all cities of Punjab together like a closed fist,” she asserted. She further stated that she was a protector of the lives, property and self-respect of the people of Punjab.
“If I do not speak for the self-respect of Punjabis, then who will? Maryam will never apologise; it is my duty to raise my voice for my people and for Punjab.”
Maryam Nawaz’s remarks on Thursday came against the backdrop of an increasingly bitter war of words going on between Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) spokespersons and the Punjab government.
In recent weeks, PPP leaders repeatedly accused the Punjab administration of mishandling flood relief operations and neglecting the distribution of wheat, prompting a sharp response from Maryam Nawaz and her cabinet colleagues. The exchanges have underscored the growing friction within the ruling coalition, with the Punjab government accusing the PPP of politicising humanitarian issues.
To defuse tensions, the federal government has formed a parliamentary committee tasked with ironing out the differences between coalition partners. The committee has been asked to examine grievances raised by both sides and recommend a way forward to ensure smooth coordination on relief, resource-sharing, and governance matters.
Emphasising transparency, the chief minister said merit is the cornerstone of her government’s policies. She revealed that she personally oversees interviews for key appointments to prevent favouritism. She highlighted, “If someone brings a recommendation for any post, I mark a red cross against it.” She added that previously awarded contracts based on recommendations have been cancelled so that public resources can be spent on the welfare of people across Punjab.
“I do not want any child to suffer due to lack of opportunities. Every decision must be based on merit,” she stressed. Maryam reaffirmed her commitment to self-reliance and national pride saying that she would not seek foreign help for rehabilitation of flood victims. She stressed that the Punjab government had enough resources to take care of the flood affectees.
“President PML-N Nawaz Sharif had said goodbye to the IMF, but then who brought it back? The resources are yours, but someone else is deciding how to use them.
She stressed that the future of Punjab lies in the hands of youth and the government would ensure equal opportunities of health and education to all.
“Punjab’s future lies in the hands of its youth. We are building a Punjab where every child, regardless of background, has access to education, opportunity, and a better life,” she said, adding that her government would also raise the standard of education in government-run educational institutes to bring them at par with private institutions.
Turning to education, Maryam stressed the importance of merit, quality schooling, and equal opportunities for all. She praised the achievements of top-performing students and said the youth held the key to Pakistan’s development. She also pledged to bridge the gap between public and private education systems.
The chief minister announced that over 80,000 scholarships had been awarded to students pursuing higher education, alongside major upgrades to schools and universities. She highlighted the inauguration of the first “Centre of Excellence” in Chakwal, with more such institutions planned across Punjab. “These centres will provide an education standard equal to the best private institutions,” she said.
As part of a wider push to modernise education, Maryam said more than 6,000 labs equipped with technology for artificial intelligence, robotics, and coding are being set up in schools. She also introduced a “School Milk Programme,” aimed at providing 10 million children with milk to promote physical growth.
Maryam also highlighted women’s empowerment as a top priority, noting that her government had inducted women into law enforcement, counter-terrorism, and other key departments. “I want women to play a central role in the development of this country,” she remarked.
Also, the chief minister announced that the Punjab government will bear all educational expenses of top achievers and provide them with laptops. She unveiled plans to establish Centers of Excellence across the province, create 6,000 STEM labs, launch a school-transport programme, distribute free uniforms, and organize sports competitions in every institution.
Maryam pledged to upgrade classrooms, toilets, and drinking water facilities in schools within six months and award 80,000 scholarships to bright students from underprivileged backgrounds. Stressing that “education is the greatest equalizer,” she said digital resources and laptops would be distributed to help students meet modern learning needs.
She highlighted ongoing initiatives including Rs80 billion for school improvements, a Rs9 billion meal programme, and the distribution of milk cartons to one million children. She also announced expansion of electric bus services with free travel for students and special compartments for women.
Emphasising women’s empowerment, Maryam cited appointments of women to key positions, including Punjab’s first female commissioner. She urged students to embrace technology, robotics, and AI, and to learn English alongside Urdu and Punjabi for global competitiveness.
Although the ruling party PML-N making all out efforts to woo the disgruntled allied partner [PPP] over the matter of alleged disrespect of its leadership, the latter may raise the issue in the parliament in today’s National Assembly session.
The National Assembly (NA) session will resume today after the break of two days as the chair abruptly adjourned the proceedings realizing the sensitivity of the situation.
The main coalition partner the other day [Thursday] boycotted the proceedings of National Assembly (NA) and Senate expressing the strong reservations over the remarks of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
The senior member of ruling party [PMLN] including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, in the mediation of Speaker National Assembly (NA), met the representatives of the PPP to sort out the situation. Sources said that the PPP members still seek apology from senior leaders of the ruling party (PML-N) as they have already threatened to quit its support in the center. The PPP’s senior members will once again raise the issue on the floor of the house. They have already conveyed reservations to PML-N senior members in the meeting despite their assurances to remove their differences.
The war of words between the PPP and the PML-N, the main coalition partners both in the Centre and Punjab, other day (Wednesday) intensified further following Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s alleged harsh remarks on water distribution, canal projects, and her criticism of the PPP’s reliance on the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).
“If not given due respect and weight to its leadership’s views, the PPP can quit its support to the gov-ernment,” said PPP’s senior lawmaker Naveed Qamar had conveyed to the PML-N in the first round of talks between two parties.
