No force can stop Pakistan’s progress if leadership remains united: CM Maryam

LAHORE, May 12 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday said that if the political and military leadership remained committed to the progress and stability of the country, no force could hinder Pakistan’s journey towards development.

Addressing the 21st convocation ceremony of Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) here, the chief minister said Pakistan had successfully transformed its international image and was now contributing positively as a mediator in regional and global affairs. She said agreements between countries were being facilitated through Pakistan, while effective economic management under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had helped the country avoid a petroleum crisis.

Highlighting her personal association with the institution, she said it was a matter of pride for her to attend the convocation of LCWU, from where she herself had obtained a master’s degree in English. She congratulated the graduating students, their parents and teachers, and said that earning a degree was not the end but the beginning of a new phase in life.

The chief minister said no society could progress without the active participation of women, adding that women were now serving on key administrative positions including commissioners, deputy commissioners and senior police officers across Punjab. She noted that for the first time in Punjab’s history, a woman was serving as chief minister, while women ministers in her cabinet were performing their duties with dedication.

She said the provincial government had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against harassment of women and would not rest until offenders were brought to justice. She added that panic buttons were being installed at public places, virtual police stations had been established, and a dedicated system was being developed to curb online harassment. She also urged parents to support their daughters in cases of harassment.

Outlining government initiatives, the chief minister said the provincial administration was working on infrastructure, law and order, education and economic development. She expressed satisfaction over the completion of 100,000 houses under the “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” programme.

Referring to education reforms, she said modern learning could not be imagined without technology. “In today’s era of artificial intelligence, education without laptops is impossible,” she said, adding that students should have laptops in their hands instead of petrol bombs and slingshots.

She said around 100,000 students had been awarded Honhaar scholarships, while 30,000 electric bikes had already been distributed among students. She announced that 100,000 additional electric bikes would be provided next year and said the green bus network was being expanded to colleges and universities.

Referring to recent regional tensions, the chief minister said the nation had stood united like “Bunyan-um-Marsoos.” She said the country belonged to all Pakistanis, not any single political party, and stressed that celebrating national achievements was a collective responsibility. “The future of this country and its flag lies in the hands of the youth,” she concluded.