Lahore: Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, emphasized the importance of education and condemned the use of students in political protests, stating that the future of Pakistan lies in education, not in violence. She was addressing a scholarship program ceremony at Punjab University (PU) Lahore on Wednesday.
Criticizing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Maryam Nawaz questioned the image of Pakistan projected to foreign dignitaries. “What impression did the President of Belarus take back from Pakistan? If vandalism and arson are considered positive actions, then why not bring your own children to participate?” she said, referring to recent political unrest.
“Students Belong in Universities, Not in Protests”
The Chief Minister highlighted the critical role of students in nation-building and urged them to focus on their education. “Young people holding guns, stones, and slingshots is not the face of Pakistan. Our youth look good in colleges and universities, not in protests at D-Chowk,” she said.
Maryam Nawaz also criticized those who incite students to violence while ensuring their own children remain safe. “You cannot seat your children in safe spaces while pushing the children of the nation to face violence. If you cannot speak without resorting to abusive language, then your degree is just a piece of paper,” she remarked.
Commitment to Higher Education
In a significant announcement, Maryam Nawaz assured students that their education is now her personal responsibility. “From today, the higher education of students is more my responsibility than their parents’. The future of this country depends on an educated youth, not one caught in the cycle of protests and violence,” she added.
The Chief Minister’s remarks come amid ongoing political tensions, with the government urging students and youth to prioritize education and refrain from participating in politically motivated demonstrations.
