CM Maryam hails federal budget as relief-oriented, pro-people package

• Punjab CM congratulates PM Shehbaz on presenting fifth federal budget, saying welfare budget to ease burden on salaried class and boost growth sectors

• Marks World Day Against Child Labour with strong policy message, calling children ‘my red line,’ and warning against all forms of exploitation

• Promises strict legal action against brick kilns and violators, urging parents to prioritise education over child labour

 LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday congratulated Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and his economic team on presenting the fifth federal budget, terming it a relief-oriented package designed to pass on the benefits of economic recovery to the common man.

In a statement issued from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the Punjab CM paid tribute to the prime minister and his team for introducing what she described as a “welfare budget,” saying the time had come for the dividends of economic improvement to reach ordinary citizens.

She said the federal budget reflects a clear direction towards easing public hardship, particularly by providing relief to the salaried class and supporting broader economic stability. The measures outlined in the budget, she added, are expected to help reduce financial pressure on households.

Maryam Nawaz said the budget would not only benefit workers and salaried individuals but also pave the way for wider public relief through the promotion of industrial and agricultural growth across the country.

“The welfare-oriented budget will ensure that every segment of society becomes part of the country’s economic progress,” she said, adding that inclusive development remained central to the government’s economic vision.

CM vows zero tolerance for child labour, pledges protected future for children

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday reiterated her “unwavering commitment” to eliminating child labour, vowing to ensure a safe, dignified and prosperous future for children across the province.

In a special message on the occasion of World Day Against Child Labour, the chief minister reaffirmed the provincial government’s resolve to eradicate child labour in all its forms and urged parents to prioritise education, healthcare and recreational opportunities for children.

She said respect for children’s rights is a hallmark of a civilized and dignified society, adding that Punjab is now the safest province for children. “Children are my red line,” she stated, stressing that any form of violence, abuse or exploitation of children is completely unacceptable.

Maryam Nawaz appealed to parents to raise children with care and compassion rather than pushing them into labour, and vowed strict legal action against those involved in child labour at brick kilns or any other workplace.

She said the theme of World Day Against Child Labour — “Fair opportunities for children, no to child labour, and dignified employment for youth” — serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to protect children and secure their future.

The chief minister noted that the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau and other social welfare institutions in Punjab are actively working to safeguard children’s rights and welfare.

“Every child is our future. We want to see books and laptops in their hands, not bricks, stones or iron tools,” she said, adding that initiatives such as the Honhaar Scholarship Programme and the distribution of laptops are helping steer children towards education.

She emphasized the need for collective awareness and sustained action to eliminate child labour, saying the challenge cannot be addressed through individual efforts alone.

Maryam Nawaz further said the Punjab government remains committed to ensuring children’s nutrition, education, upbringing and healthcare. She highlighted that the School Meal Programme is being implemented across the province to address malnutrition among schoolchildren.