Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that despite budgetary difficulties and limited financial resources, the Punjab government was going to provide 100,000 electric bikes to young people. Addressing a laptop distribution ceremony at the University of Sahiwal, Maryam Nawaz Sharif said one reason for inviting applications was the budgetary difficulties, as financial resources were limited.She said the Federal government had taken money from Punjab this year, but she had provided it.

“How can I refuse now?” she asked. Referring to applications and registrations for 100,000 bikes, the chief minister said a large number of people had registered when applications were invited.She said Punjab’s treasury belonged to the people and that she had opened its doors for the province’s sons and daughters. The Punjab chief minister said that, for the first time, the provincial government was going to provide 100,000 electric bikes this year.

The initiative aims to facilitate young people’s travel and create opportunities for them. She stressed that measures for young people would continue despite financial difficulties and that provincial resources would be spent on public welfare. Maryam Nawaz further said she had travelled by road to fulfil a promise made to children despite the cancellation of her helicopter flight due to rain, as she did not want the children to keep waiting for her.

The Punjab chief minister said she had been scheduled to arrive by helicopter, but the flight was cancelled in the morning due to rain in Lahore, after which she decided to travel by road. She said she thought it was not possible for the children to wait for her while she failed to arrive.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)