Ankara, April 12, 2025: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz delivered a compelling address at the fourth edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2025, with her speech centered on transformative education reforms, women’s empowerment, and the urgent need for global unity.
Welcomed warmly by Turkish First Lady Emine Erdoğan, Maryam Nawaz received an enthusiastic reception from delegates and dignitaries attending the high-profile event. She spoke during a distinguished session titled “The Revolutionary Power of Education,” where she shared the stage exclusively with Emine Erdoğan.
Maryam Nawaz opened her speech by emphasizing the power of shared dreams and collective resolve. “It is an honour to address this forum, which brings together leaders who not only dream of a better world but also work tirelessly to make those dreams a reality,” she stated. “No society can progress without investing in the welfare of women and children.”
The Chief Minister detailed the bold steps her administration has taken since assuming office in March 2024, continuing the educational legacy initiated by Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif. Her government, she said, is committed to delivering quality education through innovation, inclusivity, and infrastructure reform.
She highlighted key initiatives including the upgrade of over 4,000 primary schools across Punjab, and the introduction of digital classrooms—replacing traditional chalkboards with touchscreen technology in 6,000 institutions. Non-functional schools have been restored and transformed into vibrant centers of learning.
To combat malnutrition, a free milk program has been launched for schoolchildren, while 50,000 Prosperous Scholarships have been granted to ensure equitable access to education. Additionally, the recruitment of 30,000 teachers on merit aims to improve the quality of instruction across the province.
Embracing future-forward solutions, the Punjab government has introduced AI-based learning platforms to prepare students for the digital age. This is complemented by the establishment of Pakistan’s first AI University in Lahore and the launch of the Nawaz Sharif Internet City, envisioned as a cornerstone of the country’s digital transformation.
Maryam Nawaz also shared moving stories of children like Nada from Kasur and Ikram from South Punjab, whose lives have been transformed through these education reforms, offering a human face to her government’s policy efforts.
In an emotional segment of her speech, the Chief Minister turned attention to the plight of children in conflict zones. “Innocent children lie under the rubble in Palestine. Girls in Afghanistan are denied access to schools. The children of Kashmir are victims of oppression. In Sudan, they walk miles for food,” she said. “These are not isolated issues—they demand a collective human response.”
Urging world leaders to adopt what she called a “diplomacy of dignity,” Maryam Nawaz called for prioritizing humanity in foreign policy, particularly with regard to children’s and girls’ education. She appealed for united action spanning regions and cultures—from Morocco to Multan, and Delhi to Dhaka.
Extending an invitation to Turkish institutions, she encouraged universities from Türkiye to expand their educational footprint in Punjab. She concluded her address with a heartfelt expression of gratitude in Turkish, drawing warm applause from the audience.
On the sidelines of the forum, Maryam Nawaz held meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and First Lady Emine Erdoğan. President Erdoğan expressed his goodwill toward former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, saying, “God willing, we will meet Nawaz Sharif soon.”
The Turkish leadership lauded Maryam Nawaz’s efforts in advancing bilateral relations, reaffirming the long-standing brotherhood between Pakistan and Türkiye. She also toured a cultural stall with the First Lady, symbolizing the deep-rooted friendship between the two nations.
“Pakistan and Türkiye may be two nations, but our hearts beat as one,” said Maryam Nawaz. “This bond is not just political—it’s a connection of hearts that will grow stronger for generations to come.”
