Lahore (Pakistan News) Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif attended the largest-ever Honhaar Scholarship and Laptop Distribution Ceremony in the history of Lodhran. A total of 7,000 male and female students from Multan and Bahawalpur divisions participated in the ceremony.
Students from Multan and Bahawalpur divisions welcomed Chief Minister Punjab with great enthusiasm upon her arrival, chanting slogans in her honour. She waved in response, walked over to the female students and greeted them warmly.
She also met members of the provincial assembly, exchanged greetings and as per tradition sat among the female students.
On the request of students from Islamia University, Chief Minister Punjab joined them in singing the national anthem. She embraced a student who had the honour of reciting Naat-e-Rasool-e-Maqbool (SAW). Students of Islamia University also presented a national song, “Charta Sooraj Hai Apna Pakistan, Duniya Dekhay Hai Pakistani Shaan,” which was greatly appreciated.
At the start of the ceremony, a smartly turned-out police contingent presented a salute in honour of the students. A student of Saraiki Department, Urooj Fatima, emotionally addressed the gathering in Saraiki, prompting Chief Minister Punjab to come forward and hug her.
When Sadiq Women University student Qamar Fatima became emotional during her speech, she again approached her to offer encouragement. Christian student Maryam Javed shared her educational journey in English, highlighting that “Laptop is a gateway,” which drew praise and affection from Chief Minister Punjab.
Chief Minister Punjab personally distributed laptops, took selfies with the students, and referred to them as “super heroes” and “super guests,” drawing loud cheers from the audience.
Provincial Minister for Education Rana Sikandar Hayat said that 70 percent of the beneficiaries of laptop and Honhaar Scholarship programs were female students, which was greatly applauded.
He further added that under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, funds for universities have been increased by 500 percent in Punjab.