Sahiwal: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif arrived in Sahiwal with a mission focused on education and empowerment, distributing laptops and Honhaar Scholarships to 6,208 students at the University of Sahiwal. According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab, the event marked the eighth ceremony under the Laptop Scheme and Honhaar Scholarships, aiming to boost educational opportunities in the region.

Upon her arrival, CM Nawaz was warmly welcomed by students and dignitaries. She engaged with ministers and assembly members and appreciated the Quranic calligraphy by students from the Government Special School Sahiwal. The students also presented portraits of Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif, and joined the CM in singing the national anthem, enhancing the ceremonial atmosphere.

A symbolic police guard of honour was presented to students receiving the laptops and scholarships. Expressing their gratitude, students highlighted the significance of the laptops for their educational advancement. Faiz-ul-Ali and Qurat-ul-Ain, beneficiaries of the program, presented a book titled “Punjab Ki Bahadur Beti” to CM Nawaz, acknowledging her efforts in supporting education.

Provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat provided insights into the Laptop Scheme and Honhaar Scholarship Programme, noting significant financial and enrolment growth at regional universities. The event also reported an increase in student enrolment at the University of Sahiwal and the University of Okara.

Overall, 4,746 students from Sahiwal Division received laptops, including those from public universities, medical and nursing colleges, as well as private institutions. Scholarships totaling Rs42 million were awarded to 1,462 students from the division. The initiative extends beyond Punjab, with scholarships also awarded to students from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with payments completed for 108,488 students. The fourth phase of the Honhaar Scholarship Programme is set to launch soon.