Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced that the Punjab government will introduce a laptop scheme in January 2025 for exceptional students, ensuring they have the necessary support for pursuing higher education.

As part of the ‘Honhaar Scholarship Programme,’ outstanding students will have the opportunity to gain admission to top public and private universities.

“Now outstanding students will be able to get admission in LUMS, FAST and other public and private universities, medical colleges which was earlier a distant dream for them,” Nawaz said.

Maryam Nawaz expressed her desire to see youth holding books rather than stones, bullets, or shells. She remarked that a student sitting at D-Chowk doesn’t present a positive image and emphasized that if a student lacks polite communication skills, their degree holds little value. She affirmed that the government will not permit students to engage in violent protests.

She noted her constant concern for the welfare of students, highlighting that 60% of scholarships have been allocated for girls. Out of a total of 30,000 scholarships, 12,000 have been awarded to boys and 18,000 to girls.

The Chief Minister assured that 100% merit has been maintained in the scholarship process, stating that no student should have any complaints regarding merit violations. She emphasized that the government will not discriminate based on political affiliations, whether in PPP, PML-N, or PTI.

Maryam Nawaz explained that the Punjab government has consistently upheld merit in the appointments of Deputy Commissioners, Commissioners, and Secretaries across various government departments.

Regarding the electric bike initiative, she mentioned that 10,000 electric bikes have already been distributed to applicants, with an additional 20,000 in the pipeline. She affirmed the government’s commitment to empowering youth and improving the quality of education and curricula.

The Chief Minister remarked that Pakistan is fortunate to have 65% of its population as youth. She discussed the development of Nawaz Internet City in Lahore, which will host campuses of prestigious universities.

Read more

Here is how to qualify for Maryam Nawaz scholarships in Punjab

How can university students register for Honahar Scholarship Program

German Embassy in Islamabad to prioritise deserving students

Addressing the issue of unemployment, she expressed her desire to prevent brain drain, stating, “Pakistan is rich in resources, minerals, and youth potential.” She mentioned that the government aims to provide interest-free loans to students so they can start their own businesses after completing their education.

Maryam Nawaz asserted that scholarships are not merely acts of kindness from the government but are the rightful entitlements of deserving students.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC), statutory body formed by the government of Pakistan, has introduced a new selection process for awarding scholarships and admissions to MS/MPhil and PhD programs in April.