Jhelum: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday that her government was strengthening action against corruption while prioritising development in smaller cities and expanding educational opportunities for young people.
Addressing a laptop and scholarship distribution ceremony in Jhelum, Maryam acknowledged that corruption had not been eliminated from Punjab but maintained that her administration had become more effective at identifying and acting against cases of wrongdoing.
She warned that government officials and ministers found involved in corruption would face action and challenged critics to present evidence supporting allegations against her administration.
Smaller cities to receive greater attention
Maryam said development should not remain concentrated in major urban centres, stressing that smaller cities deserved equal attention in infrastructure, healthcare, education and public services.
She highlighted development initiatives for Jhelum, including improvements to healthcare facilities, roads, public transport and water supply.
The chief minister said her government was working to ensure that residents of smaller cities had access to facilities comparable to those available in larger urban areas.
Merit and opportunities for young people
Addressing students, Maryam said merit would remain central to the provincial government's education and scholarship programmes.
She assured students that those who qualified on merit would not be prevented from accessing opportunities.
Encouraging young people to pursue their ambitions, she said the government would support them in achieving their dreams through educational assistance and development initiatives.
During the ceremony, students received laptops and scholarships under provincial education programmes aimed at expanding access to higher education.
Maryam said financial limitations should not prevent deserving students from continuing their studies.
Government response to corruption allegations
Responding to political criticism, the chief minister said she had never claimed that corruption had completely disappeared from Punjab.
Instead, she maintained that the government's ability to identify corruption and take action against those responsible had improved.
She reiterated that allegations of wrongdoing should be supported by evidence and that ministers or government officials would not be exempt from accountability.
Maryam also condemned a recent assault on a female shop employee in Faisalabad and called for action against those responsible.
The chief minister said protecting citizens and ensuring accountability remained responsibilities of the provincial government.
Her address brought together the administration's stated priorities of corruption control, regional development and educational opportunities, with a particular emphasis on improving services in smaller cities.
