CM calls for embracing new ideas to drive progress

LAHORE, Apr 21 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has stressed that creative thinking is vital for human development, effective problem-solving and building a better future.
In her message on World Creativity and Innovation Day, she said the occasion serves as a reminder to expand intellectual horizons and adopt innovative approaches to address emerging challenges. Highlighting the importance of creativity for sustainable development, she urged individuals to embrace new ideas and think beyond conventional boundaries.
The chief minister said that valuing diverse perspectives and promoting teamwork were essential to fostering innovation, adding that the creative potential and forward-looking aspirations of youth were key drivers of societal progress. She emphasised that the integration of technology and innovation in development projects and education had become indispensable, observing that meaningful change was driven not merely by resources but by powerful ideas.
CM Maryam Nawaz said that Pakistani youth were making notable progress in fields such as e-commerce and artificial intelligence, reflecting the country’s growing digital capacity.
The CM said the Punjab government was actively promoting information technology, artificial intelligence and other modern technologies across the province. She added that the Nawaz Sharif IT City, the first project of its kind in Punjab, was being established in Lahore to create new opportunities in the technology sector. She added that, in collaboration with Google, free certification courses had been launched for more than 100,000 students, alongside concrete measures to enhance IT training.
The chief minister said smart IT solutions were being introduced in the health sector and other government departments to improve service delivery. She added that electric buses were modernizing Punjab’s transport system, while new train services, including a proposed high-speed link between Lahore and Rawalpindi, aim to bring innovation to travel.
She said that creativity was not merely an innate talent but a habit developed through effort and opportunity, urging youth to harness their potential for a progressive and innovative Pakistan.