1732012115-0%2FUntitled-design-(14)1732012115-0.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Punjab CM promises jobs for encroachment removal affectees
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has made a significant decision to rehabilitate the unemployed individuals affected by the anti-encroachment drive.
The Chief Minister has directed the relevant authorities to take measures for the restoration of small businesses, such as street vendors, that were affected by the encroachment removal campaign.
Maryam Nawaz stated that while the removal of encroachments is crucial for easing traffic, the government will not allow ordinary people to become unemployed. "We do not want to take away someone's livelihood, which is why it is essential to make alternative arrangements for those who have lost their jobs."
She also mentioned that alternative spaces will be provided to the affected individuals in every city. "We are reviewing arrangements for those whose livelihoods have been impacted by the anti-encroachment campaign. The removal of encroachments is inevitable to ensure smooth traffic flow," she added.
The Chief Minister emphasized that due to chaotic encroachments, passing through markets had become difficult, and that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had instructed immediate measures for those affected by the encroachments.
Earlier, Maryam Nawaz
approved
expansion of the Honhaar Scholarship Scheme for students from other provinces.
The same eligibility criteria has been set for the students belonging to other provinces like that in Punjab.
Presiding over a meeting on higher education, then chief minister also increased the number of laptops for students in Punjab up to 110,000. She approved the inclusion of the students of the second, third and fourth semesters in Punjab in the Honhaar Scholarship Scheme.
The chief minister directed then authorities concerned to establish a special helpline for students regarding the scholarship and laptop schemes.
It was decided to set the eligibility criterion for obtaining laptops as 65 per cent marks.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said while addressing the meeting, "The Honhaar Scholarship and laptop schemes are the right of every child and responsibility of the government.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
39 minutes ago
- Express Tribune
Top wheat producers get tractors
Under Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's "Grow More Wheat — Free Green Tractor and Cash Prize Scheme," four farmers from Rawalpindi, Gujar Khan, Kahuta, and Kallar Syedan have been awarded free green tractors, while three others received significant cash prizes. Farmers who cultivated more than 12.5 acres of wheat were selected through an e-ballot. Recipients included Muhammad Zahoor from Kahuta, Sohail Nawaz and Waqar ul Hassan Kayani from Gujar Khan, and Chaudhry Muhammad Yaseen from Rawalpindi. Cash prizes were awarded based on wheat yield: Raja Faisal Mehmood from Kahuta received Rs1 million for producing 48 mounds (approx. 1.92 tons) of wheat; Malik Abrar Ahmed from Kallar Syedan received Rs0.8 million for 40 mounds; and Waqas Ahmed from Kallar Syedan received Rs0.5 million for 38 mounds. The awards were distributed by Member of National Assembly Malik Abrar Ahmed, Punjab Assembly members Raja Sagheer Ahmed and Raja Muhammad Hanif, and Director of Agriculture Syed Shahid Iftikhar Bukhari. MNA Malik Abrar Ahmed stated, "Although we were elected on the symbol of the lion, our leadership emphasizes merit and transparency. The distribution of tractors worth Rs2.7 million each and cash prizes is a testament to the hardworking farmers and the merit-based policy of CM Maryam Nawaz." Director of Agriculture Shahid Iftikhar Bukhari shared that so far, 526 tractors have been distributed across Rawalpindi Division.


Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
CM orders CCTV cleanliness monitoring
"As people's expectations increase, performance should also increase," Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said while chairing a meeting for a detailed briefing on 'Suthra' Punjab Programme. She added, "Safe City cameras should be used to monitor the cleanliness situation across Punjab." She highlighted, "Development agencies from World Bank, Europe and other countries have expressed interest to invest in the Suthra Punjab Programme." The chief minister said, "Suthra Punjab Programme is successfully under way, complaints about cleanliness will be redressed."
1716751010-3%2FTaxila-heritage-artefacts-(1)1716751010-3-640x480.webp&w=3840&q=100)

Express Tribune
11 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Taxila, Harappa, Bhera declared 'heritage cities'
Listen to article The Punjab government has announced an ambitious plan to preserve and promote the province's rich historical legacy by declaring three cities — Taxila, Harappa, and Bhera — as official Heritage Cities. The initiative aims not only to highlight these locations on the international stage but also to stimulate local tourism, cultural preservation, and economic growth. An initial budget of Rs60 billion has been earmarked for the development and restoration of 60 key archaeological and historical sites across the province. According to Raja Jahangir Anwar, Secretary for Tourism and Archaeology, Taxila has been given special prominence and will be designated as an 'International Heritage City.' Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif hailed Taxila as the 'City of Civilisations,' acknowledging its profound historical significance, particularly its connections with the Gandhara civilisation and sacred Buddhist heritage. To oversee development in Taxila, a dedicated Taxila Heritage Authority has been established, complete with an independent master plan, budget, and administrative control. The first phase of the project includes the rehabilitation of roads, enhancement of tourism infrastructure, and renovation of museums and craft centres. The second phase will focus on the creation of an open-air museum, a Gandhara Art Village, and the conservation of other historically significant buildings to boost tourism appeal. Harappa, another ancient centre of early human civilisation, has also been included in the list of 60 priority sites, although no separate authority or master plan has been announced yet. The government plans to upgrade its archaeological sites, museum facilities, and excavation areas to meet international standards, with the goal of attracting greater numbers of foreign tourists. Regarding Bhera, the secretary said that while it is a sizable city with a population exceeding 350,000, the focus will be on restoring the old city, which is famed for its nine historical gates, ancient bazaars, Sufi shrines, wooden architecture, and narrow heritage-style streets. Although Bhera does not yet have an independent authority or comprehensive master plan, development work has already begun under the heritage city project. A PC-1 is currently under preparation to transform it into a full-fledged heritage zone in the near future.