them (youth) useful citizens of the country,” she added. Maryam pointed out that the youth of the development programme, were being given stipends purely on merit and above party affiliations. She said that those who had been criticising the laptop scheme were now planning to launch such schemes in their own provinces. She said that she was happy that the Youth Development Programme that commenced under her chairpersonship, was heading forward quite successfully.
“In the first phase of this programme each youth was given a monthly stipend of Rs2,000 but in the second phase they would receive Rs2500 per month each, while those belonging to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas would be paid Rs3000 per month,” she maintained.
She said that the incumbent chairperson of Youth Development Programme Leila Khan had worked with her as advisor and she had full trust in her abilities. She said for her the position did not matter as she could serve the nation even without that. “My father has the honour to serve this country for the third time as prime minister. I feel honoured to assist him in his work for the welfare of masses,” she added.
Maryam said that when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) came into power, Pakistan was facing a host of challenges but the prudent policies adopted by it had put the country on the path to progress and prosperity. She said that the prices of Ghee, vegetables and other edibles had decreased significantly, while the power situation had also started improving. She and the Prime Minister were personally trekking the loadshedding and steps were being taken to address the issue, she added.
Earlier, in his inaugural remarks, Minister of State for Education and Training Baligh-ur-Rehman said when the PML-N came into power the country was facing several challenges, including energy, economic and extremism issues but the political acumen of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and steps taken by his government had started to bring it out of those crises. He said that the schemes launched by the government for youth were being hailed the world over.