Muhammad Saleem

The Punjab government’s newly announced relief package for students in flood-hit districts is being widely praised for easing financial pressures on vulnerable families while strengthening the local economy through continued access to education and investment in human capital.

Dr. Muhammad Irfan, General Secretary of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), while speaking to Wealth Pakistan, said that the recent floods had placed every sector of the country under tremendous pressure, and in such a scenario it was the state’s responsibility to provide education and health facilities to the people. He welcomed the Punjab government’s decision to extend fee concessions to students from flood-affected areas, terming it an appreciable and timely move.

He observed that the initiative would provide much-needed relief to families grappling with the irreparable consequences of the disaster. “Thanks to this concession, displaced families will be able to divert funds that were earlier allocated for educational expenses towards other essential needs,” he noted.

“As a teacher, I fully understand the difficulties students are facing these days and the extent to which the floods have disrupted their sources of income,” he added.

Dr. Irfan said the PMA particularly commended the vision and efforts of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for prioritizing education and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the affected communities during this challenging period. According to him, the move reflected the CM’s firm commitment to empowering the youth and securing their future through accessible and inclusive education.

Hasseb Ahmed, a student, told Wealth Pakistan that the package would certainly reduce the financial pressure on families. He noted that besides facilitating education, the initiative would also protect children’s rights and help sustain the local economy. However, he emphasized the need for the government to devise a transparent and effective mechanism to ensure proper implementation so that the benefits of the package reach the intended beneficiaries.

He further said that the recent floods had inflicted colossal losses on farmers and local economies. Entire communities, he pointed out, had been devastated as farmers lost their crops, houses, and livestock. In such a dire situation, the government’s announcement of fee waivers for students was a source of much-needed relief and satisfaction for flood-hit households.

Under this initiative announced by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, eligible students will receive a full waiver on their semester fees and admission charges.

Dr. Irfan explained that across the globe, education was closely tied to economic stability, and when families gained financial stability, they could redirect resources towards other essential items, which in turn supported local markets. “For instance, when shops selling books, uniforms, or stationery receive more customers, shopkeepers earn better, small vendors sustain their income, and the circulation of money within the community strengthens the local economy,” he said.

He stressed that in essence, extending a helping hand to students in times of crisis was not merely a social initiative but also a sound economic strategy. “By supporting education today, we are enabling our youth to become a stronger and more skilled workforce, capable of tackling future challenges and contributing to the progress of the nation,” he concluded.

Credit: INP-WealthPk