Maryam Nawaz Announces Free Laptops for Position Holders, Five Buses for Kinnaird College

LAHORE — Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced laptops for position-holding students and five buses for Kinnaird College for Women. She made the announcement while addressing the 89th convocation of the college on Tuesday, where she awarded gold medals and degrees to position-holding BS and MPhil students.

Chairman of the Board of Governors Bishop Alexander John Malik opened the ceremony and described the chief minister as a role model for women, while Principal Iram Anjum welcomed her. Among the medal winners were Shamail from Media Studies (Mangat Rai Medal), Taiba Akhtar from Chemistry (Mir Phelps Medal), Sheeza Ali from Fine Arts (Rukhsana Deward Medal) and Hafza Rehman from Physics (Boswell Medal). Faculty members were also given awards for their teaching and research services. Congratulating the graduates and their parents, the chief minister described every girl at the ceremony as “a complete story of success”.

When a Girl Works Hard, They Say She Is Only Concerned About Herself

The chief minister said women face extra challenges in pursuing their ambitions. “When a boy works hard, people say he wants to get ahead. When a girl works hard, they say she is only concerned about herself,” she said, urging women to stay determined and prove their capabilities through hard work.

She said she balances her official responsibilities with domestic duties, and added that women should not be discouraged from professional careers by the expectation that they might neglect their homes.

Women Safety CCTV Cameras and Panic Buttons on Buses

Maryam Nawaz said harassment and violence against women will not be tolerated in Punjab. She said CCTV cameras and panic buttons have been installed on electric buses so that action can be taken quickly on complaints, and she urged female students to report incidents and parents to listen to their daughters’ concerns.

She said her government has worked over the past three years to make Punjab a more women-friendly province. Opportunities in government schemes, which were earlier split 70 percent for boys and 30 percent for girls, are now shared equally, she added.

Honhaar, Schools of Eminence and Merit-Based Appointments

Highlighting her government’s education programmes, she mentioned the Honhaar Scholarship Programme, laptop distribution and the Nawaz Sharif Schools of Eminence, saying the government wants to help students who are forced to leave education because of financial problems. Every child should be able to study regardless of the family’s financial circumstances, she said.

She revealed that 22 universities were without vice chancellors when she took office, and the appointments have since been made on merit. She also announced that women will be able to get electric bikes through easy instalment plans.

Also read: Government Announces 500000 Chromebooks for Students Across Pakistan

FAQs

Who will get the free laptops announced by Maryam Nawaz?

The laptops have been announced for position-holding students. The complete eligibility details have not been announced by the Punjab government yet.

How can students apply for the CM Punjab laptops?

No application process has been announced so far. Students should wait for the official announcement by the Punjab government and the Higher Education Department, and this page will be updated when applications open.

What else was announced at the Kinnaird College convocation?

Five buses for Kinnaird College for Women, and electric bikes for women through easy instalment plans.

Is this the same as the Honhaar Scholarship?

No. The laptops were announced separately for position holders. The Honhaar Scholarship is a separate Punjab government programme for deserving students.

We will update this story as soon as the government announces the number of laptops, the eligibility criteria and the distribution schedule.