Maryam Nawaz promises scholarships for Al-Qadir students

Maryam said that university would now be part of the government's initiatives

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Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said on Friday that Al-Qadir University has now come under her control following the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case verdict.

Speaking at a ceremony in Okara, Punjab chief minister also announced that scholarships would be provided to students of the Al-Qadir university, reinforcing her commitment to enhancing education in the region.

Maryam Nawaz said that the university would now be part of the government's initiatives, with a focus on providing scholarships to deserving students.

"The country needs unity, not hatred; it requires peace, not unrest," she said, reflecting on the current political climate. She also criticised the previous leadership for fueling violence and unrest, stating, "Youngsters were encouraged to attack police forces and blindly believe everything they saw on social media."

Maryam also highlighted the political persecution her family has faced, mentioning that her father, Nawaz Sharif, served the country for 45 years but was ousted over an alleged corruption charge related to an iqama (residence permit). "I was punished for standing by my father," she said.

"Imran Khan is the first prime minister to be caught red-handed committing corruption," Maryam added.

Reflecting on her own time in jail, Maryam Nawaz noted that, unlike the current situation for Imran Khan, she and her father had faced difficult conditions. "When I was imprisoned, I had cameras installed in my cell, and I was only provided with one meal a day. It’s good that my weight has reduced," she remarked.

The comments came after a court ruling in the £190 million case, in which former premier Imran Khan was sentenced to 14 years in prison and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 7 years.