CM Maryam highlights role of fathers as protectors, mentors and guiding light

• Punjab CM calls Nawaz Sharif her ‘mentor and source of strength’ in personal tribute on Father’s Day

• Lauds Benazir Bhutto as symbol of democracy and women’s empowerment on her 73^rd birth anniversary

• World Music Day marked with tribute to artists and promotion of cultural harmony

• CM highlights music as universal language promoting peace, love and tolerance

 LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Sunday paid glowing tribute to fathers, describing them as protectors, mentors and a lifelong source of strength who love, guide and safeguard their children while instilling confidence and courage in them—particularly encouraging daughters to face life with determination and self-belief.

In a special message on Father’s Day, the chief minister said fathers, like a protective shade, endure scorching heat and heavy rain themselves to provide comfort and security to their children. “A father not only teaches his children how to live, but also how to live with their heads held high,” she said.

She said a father is a beacon of light who dispels darkness in the lives of his children, adding that a father’s love and prayers continue to provide protection and guidance at every stage of life. Referring to her own father, PML-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, she said: “My father, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, is my mentor, leader, teacher and source of strength. His lap was my first school and his shadow remains my strongest support.”

The chief minister said her father’s personality and affection shaped her political thinking and outlook, adding that fathers teach their children to live with self-respect and pursue success with confidence. She expressed the hope that every child is blessed with a father who inspires dreams and gives them the courage to turn those dreams into reality.

CM Maryam Nawaz pays tribute to Benazir Bhutto on 73rd birth anniversary

In a related development, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also paid tribute to former prime minister Benazir Bhutto on her 73rd birth anniversary.

She said Benazir Bhutto was a symbol of democracy and political stability who rendered remarkable services for strengthening the democratic process in the country.

Maryam Nawaz said the late leader played a significant role in promoting women’s participation in politics and advancing their representation in the political sphere.

She observed that Benazir Bhutto’s courage and commitment to democracy were unparalleled, describing her as one of the most prominent figures in Pakistan’s political history.

The chief minister paid rich tribute to her services, saying her contributions to democracy and women’s empowerment would continue to be remembered.

 CM highlights music’s power to express human emotion

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Sunday said music has the unique ability to express the full range of human emotions—joy and sorrow, separation and reunion—and serves as a universal language that connects people across cultures and borders.

In her message on World Music Day, she paid tribute to musicians and artists for their contributions to promoting culture, harmony and creative expression. She said Pakistani artists have played a significant role in introducing Eastern music to the global stage and earning international recognition through their talent and dedication.

The chief minister said music acts as an ambassador of peace, carrying messages of love, tolerance and understanding beyond geographical boundaries, while also fostering mutual respect among diverse communities.

Highlighting the Punjab government’s initiatives for the promotion of arts and culture, she said the Information and Culture Department, through the Alhamra Arts Council, is providing training opportunities and support to young artists to help them develop their creative potential and contribute to the country’s cultural landscape.

She added that financial assistance is also being provided to deserving and underprivileged artists through the Artist Fund, enabling them to continue their artistic work with dignity and confidence. She said the provincial government remains committed to promoting arts, culture and music as part of preserving Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage.