Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced a new system to deal with online harassment and digital bullying, saying there will be zero tolerance for harassment of women in the province.
Addressing a ceremony and convocation at Lahore College for Women University, she said Punjab was determined to become a safe province for women.
Maryam Nawaz said she would not sit idle until those involved in harassing women were arrested and brought to justice.
“I want no one to look at women with a dirty eye in Punjab,” she said, adding that harassment of women could not be allowed in the province.
She said panic buttons should be installed for women everywhere and virtual centres should be created to provide protection and support.
New online harassment system
The chief minister said a new system was being developed to tackle online harassment and digital bullying. She said the information of complainants using the system would be kept confidential.
Maryam Nawaz also urged parents to listen to girls when they speak about harassment and support them instead of ignoring their concerns.
Women’s role in Punjab
Maryam Nawaz said she had complete faith in the strength of the nation’s daughters, adding that women were serving in various fields today. She said that, for the first time in Punjab, women had become divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners and DPOs.
The chief minister said hardworking women were also part of the Punjab cabinet and added that if women played their role, no one could stop the country from moving forward.
The CM said she had many memories attached to Lahore College for Women University. She said her mother wanted her to become a doctor, but she never wanted to pursue medicine.
Addressing the students, she said their journey did not end after obtaining a degree. Maryam said she never wanted to enter politics, but competing against men and winning was not a small achievement.
She said that when she became chief minister, people questioned how a woman would run a province. “Never in the history of the country had a woman become chief minister,” she said.
Governance and development priorities
The chief minister said she was working on Punjab’s infrastructure, law and order, and economy. She said the law and order situation in Punjab was better, but added that she wished she had a magic wand to fix the entire system immediately.
“I want everything to be fixed, but things take time,” she said.
Maryam Nawaz said 100,000 houses had been completed under the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar programme. She added that 100,000 children had received merit scholarships in Punjab.
The chief minister said she did not want petrol bombs or weapons in the hands of children, adding that 100,000 more electric bikes would be given to students next year.
She also announced a sports gymnasium, AI centre and computer labs. Maryam said today the child of a poor person and the child of the education minister could go to the same school.
She added that a meal programme had been started in schools, which helped increase admissions.
Pakistan and national unity
Maryam Nawaz said Pakistan belonged to everyone, not to any single political party. She said it was the responsibility of all citizens to celebrate the country’s victory and urged people not to listen to those who provoke them against the country.
“When the nation was united, we won the war against India,” she said.
She added that earlier, negative things were said about Pakistan internationally and the world had sidelined the country.
Maryam Nawaz said Pakistan was now playing a diplomatic role between the United States and Iran. She said the US and Iran were talking through Pakistan and claimed that if the US-Iran war had not been stopped, it could have led to a third world war.
She said the war ended due to Pakistan’s efforts.
The chief minister said petrol prices increased because of the Iran-US war, but due to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s efforts, there was no shortage of oil in the country.
She added that when political and military leadership acted responsibly for the country, the country progressed.
Personal struggle and political journey
Maryam Nawaz recalled that when the Panama Papers case was made, she stood by her father and did not leave him in difficult times. She said she suffered punishment for sins she did not commit, but was never afraid.
“I thank my opponents who gave me a shoulder to lean on. Now I am not afraid,” she said.
She said her jail cell was as hot as a tandoor, but she never felt fear and never complained to anyone in jail.
“This journey was not easy for me,” she added.
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