Bahawalpur, January 13, 2025: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized the true essence of public service, questioning the approach of using threats to serve the people. “How can I serve the public if I resort to intimidation, saying, ‘I will take away your heater’ after a show of aggression?” she remarked during her speech at the Hunar Scholarship Program ceremony in Bahawalpur.
She stressed the importance of upholding Pakistan’s integrity and warned against being misled into actions that harm the nation or disrespect its law enforcement agencies. “Your ultimate red line should be Pakistan,” she asserted.
Criticizing divisive narratives, Maryam said, “Such narratives come from those who haven’t contributed anything meaningful. No mother teaches her children to harbor hatred in their hearts.”
She praised Rana Sikandar for his dedicated efforts in advancing education and shared an emotional moment from her journey. “Rana Sikandar mentioned that receiving a guard of honor is an emotional experience, but for me, the most touching moment was when a child from Muzaffargarh called me ‘mother.’ The bond between a mother and child is unbreakable, unlike any other relationship in the world,” she said.
Maryam also celebrated the success of the scholarship recipients, encouraging them to take pride in their achievements. “This scholarship is not a favor from me; you earned it through your hard work and determination. Walk with your head held high and show the world that you brought honor to your country and province through your efforts,” she said.
She congratulated the students and called the Hunar Scholarship Program the largest in Pakistan’s history, worth PKR 72 billion, emphasizing that scholarships were awarded purely on merit. “Sixty percent of these scholarships have been awarded to girls, reflecting their exceptional performance,” she said, adding that even if the program were worth PKR 172 billion, it would still be insufficient to meet the aspirations of talented students.
Maryam noted that January has been dedicated entirely to scholarship programs, with awards being distributed across the top colleges and universities in the country. “While we could have distributed scholarships directly at colleges, I wanted to meet the students personally to recognize their achievements,” she explained.
The Chief Minister concluded by reaffirming her commitment to education and youth empowerment, congratulating all the daughters and sons who earned these scholarships and urging them to continue striving for excellence.
