From Abid Usman
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the government would establish first IT city of the country in Lahore.
She made the announcement while chairing third cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The meeting was also attended by provincial ministers, chief secretary and IGP.
The chief minister also approved annual and supplementary budget grants for 2023-24.
She further instructed to hand over the Lahore Knowledge Park to the Punjab Central Business District Authority.
Speaking on the occasion, she said the IT city would be completed within a year. All the major universities of the world would be invited to establish their campuses, she added.
The chief minister also approved the project of giving 20,000 electric bikes to students on soft installments. The distribution of bikes would be started from May this year. She also highlighted the need for starting the air ambulance project on a trial basis in order to assist patients who reside in remote parts of the province.
Earlier, Maryam Nawaz makes history by becoming the first woman chief minister of any province in the country. The PML-N leader, who earned the title of ‘iron lady’ for her contributions to the party through thick and thin, took oath as the Punjab chief minister on Feb 26 last.
No woman had made it to chief minister’s office in any province before that. The late Benazir Bhutto was the only woman in country’s history to have attained the office of prime minister.
The decision to nominate Maryam Nawaz for the coveted office was said to have been made by party supremo Nawaz Sharif.
Maryam Nawaz seemed calm and composed in her maiden speech as the Punjab chief minister. She announced a slew of measures for the betterment of the masses and held out olive branch to the political rivals.
“I have no intention to take revenge from my political opponents. I have learnt a lesson from my mother how to face adversities.
“I invite everyone to join the caravan of prosperity and development. I am the chief minister of all,” Maryam Nawaz said while addressing the MPs in the Punjab Assembly. Social media users lauded her first speech, especially her intention to leave the past behind and move on.
A social media user said, “There is a clear indication in her speech that she wants to do something for her people. Let her do work for the country and its people.”
