Maryam Nawaz distributes laptops and Honhaar scholarships to 6,208 students in Sahiwal

SAHIWAL: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz travelled to Sahiwal by motorway and attended the eighth ceremony of the laptop scheme and Honhaar Scholarship at the University of Sahiwal. Honhaar scholarships and laptops were distributed among 6,208 students of Sahiwal.

On her arrival at the venue, students welcomed her with unmatched enthusiasm. Maryam Nawaz went to the seats of ministers and members and enquired after their well-being. She expressed delight at a sample of Quranic calligraphy made by students of the Government Special School, Sahiwal.

University students presented portraits and sketches of Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz. The Chief Minister kissed the children who welcomed her, sang the national anthem with the students and raised the slogan “Pakistan Zindabad”. She also showed affection to the children who recited the Quran and naats.

A police guard of honour was presented in honour of the students receiving laptops and Honhaar scholarships.

A female student of the university said a laptop was not just a machine but a door to progress. She thanked the Chief Minister for trusting the daughters of Punjab. Faiz Yab Ali and Qurat-ul-Ain shared their views and presented a book on Maryam Nawaz titled “Punjab Ki Bahadur Beti” (The Brave Daughter of Punjab).

A student presented a poem about her, which included the verse: “When you came, I believed in the spring; we became skilled because of you.” A special documentary on Sahiwal’s projects was also shown at the ceremony.

Maryam Nawaz handed students cheques for laptops and Honhaar scholarships.

Education minister’s briefing

Provincial Minister for Education Rana Sikandar Hayat said the grant of Sahiwal University had been raised from Rs40 million to Rs400 million. The number of students at Sahiwal University has risen from 5,000 to 6,500, and at Okara University from 7,000 to 17,000.

In Sahiwal Division, 4,746 students received laptops. They include 2,570 students of public universities, 171 students of the medical college and 161 female students of the nursing college. Laptops also went to 544 students of private and federal universities and 1,305 students of colleges.

In Sahiwal Division, 1,462 students were given scholarships worth Rs42 million. Scholarships will go to 807 students of public universities, 55 of medical colleges and 547 of government colleges.

In other divisions of Punjab, students have already received 38,182 laptops. On the Chief Minister’s directions, Honhaar scholarships have already been given to 517 students of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, 479 of Gilgit, 938 of Balochistan and 3,135 of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In total, Honhaar scholarship payments to 108,488 students have been completed. Phase four of the Honhaar Scholarship will begin soon.