Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday announced the distribution of 100,000 laptops and an additional 50,000 Honhaar Scholarships for students, saying the provincial government would not leave any child behind.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Nawaz Sharif School of Eminence in Arifwala, the chief minister said no talented student would be deprived of education due to financial constraints.

She said the Punjab government was transforming public schools into modern educational institutions and had allocated Rs40 billion to provide basic facilities in government schools.

CM Maryam said computer, information technology (IT), science, artificial intelligence (AI) and STEM laboratories were also being established to improve the quality of education.

She said the government’s goal was to provide equal educational opportunities to children from both poor and affluent families.

The chief minister also announced plans to provide 100,000 electric bikes for students, expand the Green Electric Bus service, and create employment and overseas opportunities for skilled youth.

She urged parents to avoid sending children to unsafe places during the ongoing monsoon season and appealed to the public to help ensure open manholes are properly secured to prevent accidents.

CM Maryam also said that no roof in Punjab should collapse due to storms or heavy rainfall, highlighting the government’s efforts to improve public safety.

On the occasion, she virtually inaugurated electric bus services for five districts — Layyah, Okara, Sialkot, Chiniot and Murree.

She said the Punjab government had set a target of operating 5,000 electric buses across the province over the next five years.