Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Launches Honhaar Scholarship Scheme with Foreign Scholarships and Youth Empowerment Initiatives

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has introduced the Honhaar scholarship scheme, the largest of its kind in the country, which will offer foreign scholarships to deserving students. The Chief Minister announced this initiative during a ceremony at Punjab University, where she distributed cheques to students and launched an e-portal for the scholarship program.

Foreign Scholarships for Students
Addressing the ceremony, CM Maryam Nawaz shared her commitment to providing foreign education opportunities. She emphasized that the Punjab government would cover the full cost of education for students admitted to foreign universities. Despite the high costs of foreign education, she stated that imparting global knowledge to the youth of Punjab is a top priority.

Laptop Scheme and Additional Benefits for Students
The Chief Minister also revealed plans for a laptop scheme to be launched next month, alongside steps to provide additional e-bikes to students. A police contingent also presented a guard of honor to the scholarship recipients as a mark of respect.

Merit-Based Scholarships for All Students
With a focus on merit-based opportunities, CM Maryam Nawaz announced that 30,000 of the 70,000 applicants would receive the scholarships. These scholarships are available to both private and government university students, with 18,000 of the recipients being female students, marking a significant step towards empowering women through education. Additionally, 32% of the scholarship recipients are from South Punjab, highlighting the initiative’s commitment to supporting underprivileged regions.

Empowering Students for a Better Future
The Chief Minister emphasized that the scholarship scheme would eliminate financial barriers to education, ensuring that no child is deprived of university education due to lack of resources. She stated, “Merit prevails in Punjab, and scholarships will be awarded purely based on merit, regardless of political affiliation.”

Future Plans for Education and Employment
CM Maryam Nawaz outlined further plans for educational expansion, including establishing foreign educational institution campuses in the Nawaz Sharif IT City. She also introduced internships in various departments, offering stipends of Rs 60,000 per month.

Looking forward, the CM expressed her desire to provide Rs 10 million loans to students who wish to start their own businesses after completing their education. She concluded by stressing that a knowledgeable and empowered youth is key to Pakistan’s rapid progress, encouraging students to contribute their energy and skills for the betterment of the nation.

Key Highlights:

• Honhaar scholarship scheme launched by Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif
• Foreign scholarships will be fully funded by the Punjab government
• 30,000 students awarded scholarships, with 18,000 being female students
• Plans to launch laptop scheme and provide e-bikes to students
• Scholarships available for both private and government universities
• Internships introduced with Rs 60,000 stipends
• Business loans of up to Rs 10 million for graduates to start their businesses

Empowering Punjab’s youth for a brighter future with access to quality education and professional opportunities.