Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has granted in-principle approval for the establishment of the province’s first Skill City and has directed that detailed proposals and planning be presented at the earliest. The project will feature technical education institutes aligned with industry requirements, while existing skill education institutions across Punjab will be upgraded into Centres of Excellence. It was also agreed that Punjab’s Technical and Vocational Education Board will be affiliated with institutions in Scotland and the United Kingdom to enhance the quality and global recognition of technical education.
A comprehensive plan was presented to introduce market-oriented technical education at the matriculation level, with the aim of equipping students with employable skills immediately after completing their schooling. Under this initiative, young people will receive technical and practical training in fields such as graphic designing, media production, fashion designing, data coding, tourism, industrial electrician work, plumbing, solar water heating systems, professional cooking, and allied health professions. The Chief Minister directed that highly qualified instructors be engaged and that curricula be developed in consultation with industry experts to ensure relevance and effectiveness.
Chairing a special meeting on “Matric Tech” and school-based skilled development, Maryam Nawaz Sharif emphasized her vision of making every young person in Punjab highly skilled and proficient in their respective fields. She stated that all available resources will be utilized to provide youth with market-driven technical education, enabling them to become the true strength of Punjab.
Separately, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that the Punjab government had successfully achieved its Ramazan welfare targets, with the Nigahban Ramazan Package 2026 setting a historic record in public relief by reaching millions of citizens through coordinated assistance and price control measures.
In a media statement on Sunday, the chief minister expressed gratitude, saying the government had honored its commitment to ensure none was left alone in times of need, while delivering financial aid directly to people’s doorsteps with dignity and respect.
She said over 450,000 families, benefiting nearly 25 million individuals, received financial assistance under the package. Additionally, 45,000 families were provided Rs. 10,000 each under the “Maryam Ko Batayein” initiative.
The CM said approximately four million people availed ‘Iftar’ at 422 Nigahban Dastarkhwans across the province. She added that, for the first time, a province-wide price control campaign during Ramazan produced positive results, maintaining stability in the prices of essential commodities.
The chief minister said 75 Ramazan bazaars facilitated more than 550,000 shoppers daily by offering essential items at controlled rates. She further noted that under the Minority Card initiative, over 157,000 Christian families were given Rs10,000 each for Lent, reflecting the government’s inclusive approach to welfare.
CM Maryam Nawaz said that public service, dignity, and ease of access would remain central to the Punjab government’s policy priorities. She also thanked Almighty Allah for achieving record public relief during Ramadan, saying that the Punjab government would persist in advancing welfare-driven measures focused on upholding citizens’ dignity, improving access to essential support, and strengthening financial assistance for people from all walks of life.
Punjab CM stresses sustainable water management for future generations
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has stressed the importance of conserving water resources and ensuring universal access to clean drinking water, saying that safe water is essential for a healthy life and a fundamental human need.
In her message on World Water Day on Sunday, the chief minister said water is a great blessing of Allah Almighty and a symbol of life, adding that preventing its wastage is a national responsibility. She emphasized that responsible use of water must be promoted at all levels to safeguard this vital resource for future generations.
Quoting the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), she noted that even the wastage of a single drop of water has been discouraged, underlining the moral and religious obligation to use water judiciously.
CM Maryam Nawaz said provision of clean drinking water is a basic right of citizens, and the Punjab government is actively working to restore this right through multiple initiatives. She added that filtration plants are being installed in urban areas, while bottled clean drinking water is being supplied to residents in rural regions to ensure accessibility.
She added that rainwater harvesting projects have been initiated in Rawalpindi and other cities to improve water conservation and management. In addition, small dams are being constructed to protect water reservoirs and increase storage capacity.
Highlighting the need for long-term sustainability, the chief minister said effective management of water resources is essential, while efforts to improve the groundwater level are urgently required. She said the government was committed to ensuring the availability of safe drinking water and promoting the responsible and efficient use of natural resources across the province.