Punjab CM promises jobs for encroachment removal affectees

Express Tribune

10-02-2025

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Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has made a significant decision to rehabilitate the unemployed individuals affected by the anti-encroachment drive.
The Chief Minister has directed the relevant authorities to take measures for the restoration of small businesses, such as street vendors, that were affected by the encroachment removal campaign.
Maryam Nawaz stated that while the removal of encroachments is crucial for easing traffic, the government will not allow ordinary people to become unemployed. "We do not want to take away someone's livelihood, which is why it is essential to make alternative arrangements for those who have lost their jobs."
She also mentioned that alternative spaces will be provided to the affected individuals in every city. "We are reviewing arrangements for those whose livelihoods have been impacted by the anti-encroachment campaign. The removal of encroachments is inevitable to ensure smooth traffic flow," she added.
The Chief Minister emphasized that due to chaotic encroachments, passing through markets had become difficult, and that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had instructed immediate measures for those affected by the encroachments.
Earlier, Maryam Nawaz
approved
expansion of the Honhaar Scholarship Scheme for students from other provinces.
The same eligibility criteria has been set for the students belonging to other provinces like that in Punjab.
Presiding over a meeting on higher education, then chief minister also increased the number of laptops for students in Punjab up to 110,000. She approved the inclusion of the students of the second, third and fourth semesters in Punjab in the Honhaar Scholarship Scheme.
The chief minister directed then authorities concerned to establish a special helpline for students regarding the scholarship and laptop schemes.
It was decided to set the eligibility criterion for obtaining laptops as 65 per cent marks.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said while addressing the meeting, "The Honhaar Scholarship and laptop schemes are the right of every child and responsibility of the government.