Punjab CM orders centres of excellence for special kids in all districts

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Thursday ordered for establishing centres of excellence for special children in all districts of the province under the CM special initiatives programme.

She was chairing the 3rd meeting of the Standing Committee of the Cabinet on Finance and Development (SCCFD) here. The meeting sanctioned Rs651 million funds to launch the project in 14 districts initially. The CM was briefed that in the first phase, 12 schools for special children would be completely revamped this year. The CM was apprised that a centre of excellence for special children would be built on 26 kanals of land in Lahore.

She noted, “Due to government policies, inflation in Punjab has come down from 36pc to 17pc.” She added, “In the past, the government has been making things expensive for the public by giving money.” The SCCFD also sanctioned funds for digitisation of settlement and rehabilitation records of the Finance Department. Funds were also sanctioned for the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) for purchase of modern security equipment. Supplementary grant for the field hospitals and funds for the ‘clinic on wheels’ programme were also approved in the meeting. Funds were also sanctioned for Chief Minister’s Roshan Gharana Programme, under which protected customers using 100 units per month will be given solar systems. Funds were also approved for state-of-the-art computer lab at the Government College of Technology, and retro-reflective number plates for vehicles. The CM directed the authorities concerned to clear backlog of number plates within five months. The SCCFD gave approval for international undergraduate scholarships and local scholarships programme, in principle. Rs20 million were sanctioned by the SCCFD for archaeological excavation of 2,500 BC ‘Ganveriwala’ village in Cholistan.

CM Maryam Nawaz also strongly condemned the incident of terrorism in Gwadar. She expressed deep sorrow and regret over the killing of seven labourers belonging to Khanewal, in the act of terrorism. She offered condolences and expressed her heartfelt sympathies with the families of the deceased. Also, the chief minister ordered a thorough investigation into an incident of a girl’s rape by a rickshaw driver in Sargodha.

Meanwhile, CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz visited the newly constructed Jinnah Gallery. Director Jinnah Gallery Brigadier (retd) Dr Adnan Saleem gave a detailed briefing to the chief minister about the gallery. He said on the dark day of May 9, 2023, rare and unique photos of Quaid-e-Azam and the artefacts linked with him were burnt. The Jinnah Gallery had been established to preserve the memories of the Father of the Nation.

Later, she visited the Jinnah House, where she was given a briefing and told that the magnificent building of Jinnah House was bought by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in 1943. The establishment of Jinnah House is a manifestation of the devotion of the armed forces to Quaid-e-Azam.

The CM met parents of Captain Salman Sarwar Shaheed, Qazi Jawad Akram Shaheed, Captain Zargham Fareed Shaheed and Lieutenant Salman. She also communicated with Ghazi Colonel Raza Zaidi. She lit a candle in the memory of the martyrs and observed silence out of respect.

Talking to the media, she said those who love their homeland could not even think of attacking the Jinnah House.

She said the May-9 incident was planned for 3-4 months, and people involved were imparted proper training for the purpose. The terrorists of May 9 had not even apologised to the families of martyrs till now.