Day: July 17, 2026

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said that Nawaz Sharif schools will be established in every tehsil, while students will be given one lakh free electric bikes.

She said that the law and order situation in Punjab is better, daughters are safe, education erases differences.

Addressing a ceremony in Arifwala, CM Maryam Nawaz said that the government is converting government schools into modern educational institutions, where children of the poor and the rich will have equal facilities and opportunities. She stressed the safety of children and said that education is the power that opens the doors of development by eliminating social differences.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, while addressing a ceremony in Arifwala, urged parents not to send their children to unsafe places during the rainy season. She said that in recent days, 14 children lost their lives due to the collapse of the roof of an under-construction house, which she is extremely saddened by. She said that whenever she hears news of a child falling into a drain or open manhole, it hurts deeply.

She said that the government is constantly giving instructions to commissioners and deputy commissioners to close open manholes, however, some mischievous elements steal their covers at night, which puts the lives of citizens, especially children, in danger.

Maryam Nawaz said that they are responsible for the 130 million people of Punjab and millions of students, that is why the government is giving top priority to education and the safety of students.

She said that the scope of green electric buses is being continuously expanded for children who do not have quality travel facilities so that they can travel safely and comfortably.

The Chief Minister urged the students to proudly say that they are studying in government schools, because the government has resolved to provide the same facilities in government schools that are available in expensive private educational institutions. She said that education is the greatest equalizing force and higher education opens new paths for human development.

She said that there was an extraordinary interest in admissions to the Nawaz Sharif School of Eminence, where five thousand students took the test for one thousand seats. According to him, a DSP’s child and a laborer’s child also study in these schools, because talent should not be related to wealth.

Maryam Nawaz announced that one lakh laptops and another 50 thousand meritorious scholarships will be given to students. She said that the lack of all basic facilities is being addressed at a cost of Rs 40 billion in government schools across Punjab, including new classrooms, furniture, bathrooms, clean water, fans and other necessary facilities.

She said that the government is establishing science, technology, mathematics, computer and IT labs, while for the first time artificial intelligence labs are also being set up so that Punjab students can also acquire modern knowledge like children from developed countries of the world. She urged the students to learn artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics, saying that these skills are the guarantee of success in the future.

The Chief Minister said that for the first time, it has happened that Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat’s own son is also studying in a government school, which is proof that the government has faith in the government education system. She said that this is just the beginning of change in the education sector in Punjab and soon 300 modern schools will be established across the province.

Lahore: Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique paid a surprise visit to Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital, Gujrat, to inspect healthcare services, cleanliness, and administrative affairs, reiterating the Punjab government’s commitment to improving patient care in public hospitals.

According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Health Department on Thursday, the minister met patients during the visit, listened to their complaints, and resolved several issues on the spot. He also summoned senior faculty members who were on duty late at night to review the hospital’s performance and ensure accountability.

Khawaja Salman Rafique conducted a detailed inspection of the hospital’s cleanliness, sanitation, and overall administration. He reviewed the functioning of air conditioners and fans in different wards and directed the hospital administration to ensure a comfortable environment for patients.

The minister also visited the emergency department, blood bank, and medical ward, where he interacted with patients receiving treatment and inquired about the quality of medical care and available facilities. He instructed doctors, nursing staff, and paramedics to provide timely, quality, and patient-friendly healthcare services.

Speaking on the occasion, Khawaja Salman Rafique said that, in line with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the provision of quality treatment, excellent cleanliness, fully functional medical facilities, and a dignified environment in government hospitals remains the government’s top priority. He warned that no negligence or laxity in providing high-quality healthcare services to the public would be tolerated.

Lahore: Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique on Thursday directed all government teaching hospitals to ensure that medico-legal reports are issued through an online system, stressing that Medical Superintendents (MSs) must take responsibility for implementing the directive to improve transparency and efficiency.

He was chairing a meeting at the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department to review the reporting of medico-legal cases in government teaching hospitals. During the meeting, Surgeon Medico-Legal Punjab and Deputy Secretary (Technical) Dr. Abdul Rehman presented a report on recent visits to teaching hospitals and highlighted the current status of medico-legal reporting.

Punjab Health Secretary Azmat Mahmood said that manual medico-legal reports would not be tolerated under any circumstances, emphasizing the government’s commitment to digitizing the system and ensuring timely and transparent reporting.

The meeting was attended by Special Secretary Operations Nabila Irfan, Additional Secretary (Technical) Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Waseem, MS Mayo Hospital Lahore Dr. Abdul Mudabar Rehan, MS General Hospital Lahore Dr. Farayad Hussain, MS Services Hospital Lahore Dr. Rana Khurram, MS Jinnah Hospital Lahore Dr. Hafiz Moin, and MS Mian Munshi Hospital Dr. Memon Akbar. Medical Superintendents of all teaching hospitals also participated through video link.

Lahore: Punjab Assembly (PA) Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, along with Chinese Consul General Sun Yan, inaugurated a three-day photo exhibition at the Punjab Assembly to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.

The exhibition highlights the historic journey of Pakistan-China friendship, diplomatic cooperation and shared achievements through a collection of rare photographs depicting key milestones in bilateral relations.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Young Parliamentarians Forum President Amina Hassan Sheikh, Punjab Women Protection Authority Chairperson Hina Parvez Butt, Child Protection and Welfare Bureau Chairperson Sarah Ahmad, and other distinguished guests.

Addressing the ceremony, Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan stated, “Pakistan-China friendship is a remarkable example of mutual trust, respect, and long-standing cooperation.”

He said that such exhibitions provide an opportunity for the younger generation to understand the history of bilateral relations and appreciate the shared journey of progress and development between the two countries.

The Speaker further emphasized that the Pakistan-China partnership has an important role in promoting peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region.

He added that strengthening parliamentary and people-to-people contacts would further enhance the longstanding relationship between the two nations.

Chinese Consul General Sun Yan said that Pakistan and China have always stood by each other through challenges, and the friendship between the two countries has continued to grow stronger over the decades.

He highlighted that enhanced cultural exchanges and stronger people-to-people linkages would further contribute to deepening bilateral relations in the future.

Students from various universities and educational institutions visited the exhibition and showed keen interest in the historical journey of Pakistan-China friendship.

Visitors appreciated the rare photographs displayed at the exhibition, describing them as a valuable portrayal of the strong and enduring bonds between the two countries.

The three-day photo exhibition will remain open for the public, students, and people from different walks of life, providing an opportunity to learn about the rich history of Pakistan-China relations.