LAHORE – Maryam Nawaz Sharif has become chief minister of Punjab, and the first-ever woman to take the role delivered a detailed speech in which she made catchy promises.
The daughter of country’s three-time PM promised to go to lengths to deliver as she put youth in focus with attractive projects like Free Wi-Fi.
In her detailed list of promises, Maryam promised to change Punjab into an ‘economic hub’. PML-N leader expressed commitment to improve the lives of young people in the province, outlining various initiatives.
The new chief minister further emphasized providing financial support for deserving students to pursue education based on merit, reviving the Punjab Education Endowment Fund, and sponsoring gifted students to attend top educational institutions.
Sharif’s daughter further pledged to revive her father’s youth loan program, offering interest-free loans, skills training, and providing laptops and tablets.
She also highlighted the urge to make government internship programs pay and increase their availability. Maryam promised to set a Rs25,000 stipend for those doing internships in the government sector.
The PML-N leaders further promised all-out support for IT startups, offering resources, incubators, and guidance. She also suggested providing electric motorbikes to students and improving school transport systems.
Maryam said the new government will work on current school curriculums, and ensure access to education for all children regardless of financial woes, and establish education centers for differently-abled children in each district through public-private partnerships.
She envisioned a digital Punjab, inviting tech giants to open offices, providing free WiFi, and reviving e-libraries in the region.
Changing Punjab into ‘Economic Hub’
The new chief minister outlined her government’s role in creating pro-business policies, incentivizing dealings, and reducing bureaucratic obstacles. She also proposed converting provincial government businesses into public-private partnerships to stimulate economic growth.
She prioritized improving healthcare, aiming for state-of-the-art hospitals in every district, providing free medicines in government hospitals, and introducing first air ambulance and a motorized ambulance service.
She also emphasized women’s safety, announcing a dedicated helpline, advocating for safe working women hostels, and promising daycare centers at workplaces. She pledged a package for the transgender community and to empower marginalized groups.
