Punjab CM unveils Climate Leadership Internship, urges youth to tackle climate change

• Three-month programme offers hands-on experience with Punjab Environmental Protection Agency

• Monthly stipend of Rs60,000 and UNESCO-backed certification for selected interns, with 50% of seats reserved for female students to promote gender equality

• On International Day to Combat Islamophobia, CM calls for global efforts and unity among Muslim nations.

 LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Sunday announced the launch of the Punjab Climate Leadership Development Internship Programme, offering young people an opportunity to contribute to environmental protection while gaining professional experience.

The announcement was made through a message posted on Facebook, in which the chief minister highlighted the initiative aimed at engaging youth in climate action and environmental governance.

Under the programme, selected interns will receive a monthly stipend of Rs60,000. Upon completion of the three-month internship, participants will also be awarded an official internship certificate issued by the Government of Punjab. To promote equal opportunities, 50 per cent of the seats have been reserved for female students.

The programme will also facilitate certification in collaboration with UNESCO. Interns will gain practical experience by working with officers of the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency and contributing to environmental policy units.

Participants will also be introduced to modern learning management systems and will have the opportunity to represent their respective districts through an automated merit-based selection process.

Young applicants can submit their applications online until March 29 through the official portal of the Environment Protection Department (epd.punjab.gov.pk/climateinternship).

The Punjab chief minister said the participation of young people in efforts to improve the environment was highly encouraging, adding that every young individual could play a meaningful role in environmental protection through the Climate Leadership Development Programme.

Maryam Nawaz further stated that, by the grace of Almighty Allah and through continuous efforts, environmental pollution levels in Punjab — particularly in Lahore — were gradually declining.

CM calls for global efforts to eliminate Islamophobia

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said discrimination and unfair treatment against Muslims around the world were the result of rising Islamophobia, and called for stronger global efforts to eliminate the phenomenon.

In her message on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, the chief minister said Islamophobia was condemnable and had led to unjust treatment of Muslims in many parts of the world.

Maryam Nawaz said innocent Muslims in Palestine and Kashmir continued to suffer oppression and injustice due to Islamophobia. She emphasised that Islam is a religion of peace and that Muslims firmly believe in peaceful coexistence, adding that Islam guarantees fundamental human rights.

The chief minister also stressed that Islamic values must be presented positively to counter Islamophobia and urged Muslim countries to overcome internal differences and become a symbol of unity.

She further stated that practicing Islamic values and maintaining responsible individual conduct could play an important role in defeating Islamophobia.

Maryam Nawaz urged people to renew their commitment to tolerance, patience and mutual respect on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, emphasising that stronger global efforts were needed to eradicate the issue.