MARYAM NAWAZ SHARIF OUTLINES EXTENSIVE AGENDA FOR PUNJAB AS FIRST WOMAN CHIEF MINISTER

Lahore, February 26: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed her vision of inclusive governance, stating that she aims to serve as the Chief Minister for the entire Punjab, with open doors for all. She emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and highlighted that harassment of women is a red line that will not be crossed. Maryam Nawaz Sharif pledged to take the oath, go to the office, and immediately start implementing the manifesto.

Addressing the Punjab Assembly after her election as Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced several key initiatives. Free emergency medicine will be available in government hospitals starting today. A health screening program will be launched for timely disease treatment, along with a redesign of the health card system. Ultrasound machines and qualified doctors will be deployed in Basic Health Units (BHU) and Rural Health Centers (RHC).

To improve healthcare infrastructure, air ambulance and Motorway Rescue 1122 services will be initiated for timely patient transfers. Nurses will be trained and sent to hospitals in Gulf and Europe. Playgrounds will be established in every union council, with school grounds open for players in the evening.

State-of-the-art hospitals will be constructed in each district to treat cancer, kidney, and liver diseases. During Ramadan, 6.5 to 7 million relief packets will be delivered to homes under the “Nighaban” program. Talented students will receive education in top foreign universities.

A series of youth-focused programs will be launched, including the Youth Loan Programme, Interest-Free Loan, Youth Training, Small Business Loan, Laptop and iPad Scheme, and Paid Internship. Electric bikes will be provided to youth, especially women. An IT startup program will be introduced for freelancers.

For working women, hostels, daycare centers, and ladies’ washrooms will be built at workplaces. Model women police stations and women desks will be established in every police station. Safe cities Program is being developed in 18 cities, with completion expected in 5 years.

A comprehensive program for screening prisoners will be launched, along with the creation of an IT city and the provision of 10 doorstep services. Free Wi-Fi will be available in major cities, starting with a pilot project in Lahore. The Farm to Market Roads Program will resume, and metro bus services will begin in Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Sialkot.

Special attention will be given to South Punjab, with meetings starting with MPAs from the region. Charging points will be installed for electric buses, and smart agriculture zones will be created for farmers. Agricultural machinery will be provided at discounted rates, and a special package will be offered for livestock.

Disease-free animal meat from Pakistan will be exported to the Gulf market. Garbage collection in cities will be improved, and a free school transport program will be introduced, especially for girl students. Solar panels will be provided in convenient installments for citizens consuming less than 300 units of electricity.

The “Apna Chhat Apna Ghar” scheme will be launched, providing one lakh houses. Street markets will be kept clean under the “Suthra Punjab” program. A project will be launched to provide services to overseas Pakistanis, and health and life insurance will be provided for journalists.

While addressing the Punjab Assembly House, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed her gratitude to Allah Almighty, saying, “I humbly thank Allah Almighty by bowing my head.” She reflected on the journey that led her to this moment, noting that “the system of nature first endures and then honors.”

Maryam Nawaz congratulated Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan and Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Chanhar on their election, expressing hope that “under the leadership of Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan and Zaheer Iqbal Chanhar, this House will raise the flag of democracy.”

Expressing regret over the absence of opposition members in the House, Maryam Nawaz remarked, “It is regrettable that the opposition members are not present in the House, I wish they were also present.” She emphasized the importance of competition in politics, stating, “We are all democratic workers, competition is necessary in politics.”

Reflecting on the challenges she faced, Maryam Nawaz expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of her party members. She stated, “There were very difficult moments, everyone was against us and we were subjected to brutality, thank God that every member of the party and all of us as a party did not give up.”

Maryam Nawaz extended an open invitation to all members of the Assembly, saying, “My office, my doors, and my chambers are open 24 hours a day for every Member of the Assembly.” She thanked her family, party workers, and supporters for their support, acknowledging, “The party not only nominated me for the Chief Ministership but also fully supported me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Expressing gratitude to members of other political parties for their support, Maryam Nawaz highlighted the significance of her election as Chief Minister, stating, “Today is a day of honor for every Pakistani daughter, sister, and mother that there is a woman on the chair of the Chief Minister.”

Despite facing adversity, Maryam Nawaz emphasized her lack of desire for revenge, stating, “Despite the difficulties and sufferings, there is no desire to take revenge from anyone in my heart.” She credited her opponents for her growth, saying, “Opponents have trained me in difficult conditions by putting me in difficulties, putting me in death cell and putting me in Adyala Jail, NAB Jail, and Kot Lakhpat Jail.”

Maryam Nawaz concluded by expressing her gratitude to her mother and teachers for their guidance, and to Nawaz Sharif for his mentorship and vision. She said, “Today I am on the chair where visionary leaders like Nawaz Sharif used to sit. Nawaz Sharif is honored to have made the country invincible.” She also thanked Allah Almighty for Nawaz Sharif’s leadership, noting, “Nawaz Sharif is the only person who was made Prime Minister 3 times by Allah Almighty.”

Maryam Nawaz Sharif emphasized the importance of respecting and valuing parents, noting that “a parent’s prayers reach places beyond human imagination.” She acknowledged the legacy of Shahbaz Sharif, who is remembered as the “Khadim-e-Aala Punjab” and for his commitment to Punjab’s development, recognized not only in Pakistan but also worldwide.

Maryam Nawaz highlighted her awareness of the challenges faced by the poor and the expectations associated with the Pakistan Muslim League (N). She pledged to take the oath, go to the office, and immediately start implementing the manifesto, focusing on addressing public issues.

Maryam Nawaz outlined her vision for Punjab, aiming to establish state-of-the-art hospitals in every city to ensure that no one has to travel to another city for treatment. She announced that government hospitals will start providing free emergency medicine from today.

Regarding business and economic development, Maryam Nawaz expressed her vision to make Punjab an economic hub. She emphasized the government’s role in providing facilities to the business community and pledged to eliminate red tape and other obstacles. She promised to create a system where all business registrations can be completed under one roof and to convert existing government businesses into public-private partnerships.

Maryam Nawaz reiterated her zero-tolerance policy against corruption and pledged to bring a transparent system that would end bribery. She committed to monitoring government projects personally to ensure timely completion. She announced the continuation of helplines for youth and women and the launch of a relief package named “Neghaban” for Ramadan, delivering relief packages to people’s homes.

Recognizing the need for authentic data for effective relief distribution, Maryam Nawaz directed the Chief Secretary to submit authentic data within three months. She expressed her dedication to youth welfare, promising to provide resources for education to those in need, resume scholarships under the Punjab Education Foundation (PEF), and support students studying in international universities. She also pledged to restore the youth loan program started by Nawaz Sharif.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif outlined a comprehensive plan for youth empowerment, including education, interest-free loans, training, laptops, and small business opportunities. She emphasized providing laptops, iPads, or tablets to students as needed and expanding internship programs with stipends of at least 25,000 to support their expenses. Electric bikes will be provided to students and professionals, and Maryam Nawaz Sharif pledged personal engagement with youth, keeping the doors of the Chief Minister’s House open to solve their problems.

She committed to improving the education system, ensuring equal standards for all students, and enhancing teacher training programs. Buildings, classrooms, and labs will be upgraded, and a transport system will be provided to all schools in Punjab.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif emphasized curriculum development, addressing child labor by providing stipends to children working in kilns, and focusing on special education and the welfare of special needs individuals. She pledged to screen children for diseases early and establish a special education institution in every district.

In the health sector, she promised to deploy qualified doctors, medicines, and equipment in Basic Health Units (BHUs), Tehsil Headquarters (THQs), and Rural Centers. She committed to working tirelessly for the financial independence, protection, and empowerment of women and announced a special package for the transgender community to mainstream them into society.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif highlighted the importance of protecting minorities, promoting sports through the “Khailta Punjab Program,” focusing on a digital Punjab, and providing 43 services at people’s doorsteps under the Dastak program. She promised to investigate police brutality incidents, reduce police response time, and improve facilities for jail patients.

She pledged to pay more attention to small farmers, create smart agriculture zones, and adopt modern agricultural methods. A one-window program will be started for farmers, providing agricultural credit, quality seeds, and fertilizers.

To provide relief to the public, Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced the provision of solar panels to houses consuming less than 300 units of electricity and the construction of one lakh houses under the “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” scheme. She also emphasized cleanliness under the Suthra Punjab program, combating climate change and smog with modern technology, and addressing the issues of overseas Pakistanis and media workers.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif concluded by emphasizing that while success is in the hands of Allah, good intentions and efforts are in the hands of humans, and requested the Speaker for opening of the press gallery.