'Punjab's doors open for other provinces'

CM says provincial education, health initiatives serve whole country

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that Punjab has always opened its doors for people from other provinces who come in search of employment and better opportunities.

Speaking to a delegation of students from various educational institutions of Balochistan,

she said, "Hospitals, colleges and universities in Punjab are benefiting people from all provinces." She said the Children Heart Surgery Programme and Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital projects were meant for the entire country.

"We have never differentiated between Sindhi, Punjabi, Kashmiri or Baloch. We are Pakistanis first," she said.

The chief minister termed misleading the narrative that Punjab receives a disproportionate share of resources and advised students not to fall for such propaganda.

"Every province receives its due share; the real difference lies in how public funds are utilised," she added.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the crime rate in Punjab had dropped and suspects were now arrested within 24 hours.

She said Punjab had become safer for women, with drones reaching crime scenes first and police responding immediately to panic button alerts.

She said Safe City projects, surveillance cameras and technology were not only being used to track criminals but also to identify civic issues such as waste management.

She said the Green Bus service had been launched in small cities, offering travel at Rs20, while free Wi-Fi was available at various locations in Lahore.

Maryam Nawaz said Punjab was providing Honhaar scholarships and laptops to students from Balochistan, while 260 Baloch students were studying in Danish Schools and around 1,500 had graduated. "We are Pakistanis first; provincial identities come later," she said, urging students to question their governments respectfully and remain vigilant against misinformation.

Students from the delegation praised Lahore's hospitality.

The chief minister presented laptops to the students.

Separately, the chief minister was informed that a record had been set in December as Punjab's farmers had purchased 37 per cent more urea fertiliser compared to last year.