CM Maryam announces Hunarmand scholarship & laptop scheme

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday launched the Hunarmand (Merit) Scholarship and Laptop Scheme Phase-II, unveiling a comprehensive package of measures to empower students from all over the country.

During the ceremony, the chief minister announced proposals to give 80,000 scholarships next year and provide 118,000 Core i7 laptops to deserving students.

She reiterated that merit alone would be the basis, stating further that students from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would also be included.

Maryam Nawaz reaffirmed her government’s focus on youth empowerment, pointing out that more than 27,000 laptop application forms had already been submitted by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. She pledged to ensure that decisions would not be based on recommendations or favoritism.

In addition to the scholarships and computers, the chief minister announced the development of 6,000 STEAM labs, Schools of Eminence throughout Punjab, and new Centers of Excellence. She also revealed that electric buses would be introduced in Chakwal shortly to enhance urban transportation.

Looking back at her own political life, Maryam remembered joining politics in 2011, running for office in 2024, and facing imprisonment even though she had committed “no crime or wrongdoing.” She told her own problems had made her more determined to focus on education and the young people of Punjab.