- Punjab CM pledges Rs1m compensation for flood-hit homes, all-out support for complete rehabilitation
- Reiterates development begins from smaller cities, not just Lahore
LAHORE/SARGODHA: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday inaugurated the Electric Bus Project in Sargodha, coupling the launch with a series of major public welfare initiatives spanning transport, health, and disaster relief.
At the inauguration ceremony, the chief minister announced that 60 electric buses will become operational within Sargodha city and 105 in Sargodha Division, reaffirming her pledge of free travel for women, senior citizens, students, and special persons. She stressed that the government’s vision is to provide safe, dignified, and accessible public transport.
Turning to flood rehabilitation, Maryam Nawaz declared that fully damaged houses would receive Rs1 million in compensation, while partially damaged homes would get Rs500,000. She said rehabilitation operations for flood victims would begin within two weeks, adding, “Maryam Nawaz Sharif will not rest until the last flood victim is safely rehabilitated and resettled in his home.”
On healthcare, she highlighted that the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology in Sargodha, a long-delayed project, had been made operational within a year and would soon be fully functional. She said leading cardiologists and surgeons were being posted there, with accommodation facilities for staff to ensure round-the-clock services.
She also announced a breakthrough in cancer treatment, revealing that Pakistan is the only Asian country after China to adopt Co-Ablation technology for non-surgical treatment combining chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The Co-Ablation Center at Mayo Hospital Lahore is already operational, offering free treatment worth Rs1.6 million per patient, and similar facilities will be set up in Rawalpindi, Multan, and later in Sargodha.
Another day, another promise fulfilled!
CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurates the Electric Bus Project in Sargodha, ushering in a new era of clean, modern, and affordable public transport. pic.twitter.com/NSMW22e7EE
— PMLN (@pmln_org) September 19, 2025
Reflecting on recent floods, the Punjab CM said the province had faced the worst flooding in decades, affecting 27 districts and more than 5,000 villages. She noted that over 2.5 million people and 2.2 million livestock were rescued and relocated, with relief teams delivering supplies to even the remotest areas. She blamed India’s sudden water release for aggravating the floods but credited government preparedness for averting larger losses.
Maryam Nawaz criticised past governments for neglecting public transport, saying women had been forced to travel in unsafe, broken vehicles. She said the new electric buses, fitted with separate compartments for women, free Wi-Fi, mobile charging ports, and disability-friendly access, offered a modern and dignified alternative. She added that the fare from Bhera to Sargodha had been slashed from Rs200 to Rs20.
During her address, she praised former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for steering national development, noting that Shehbaz Sharif was recently accorded a fighter jet salute in Saudi Arabia, where the Kingdom also released a special tribute song for Pakistan. She said this reflected strengthening bilateral ties.
Maryam Nawaz also contrasted the present with the past, remarking, “Earlier, there was only bad news—rising dollar, economic instability, and international disputes. Now, with Nawaz Sharif’s return, a new era of good news has begun.” She pointed to the Pakistan Stock Exchange’s record-breaking performance and recognition from global institutions of economic recovery and falling inflation, adding that respect on the world stage comes through service and governance, not slogans.
The Punjab CM stressed that development would no longer be confined to major cities. She underlined that Sargodha received electric buses even before Lahore and Rawalpindi, symbolising a shift towards inclusive, province-wide growth.
Expressing gratitude for the public’s support, she said, “The love and respect shown by the people of Sargodha will always be remembered.” She also requested Nawaz Sharif to personally inaugurate the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology in Sargodha next month, acknowledging the city’s deep bond with the Sharif family.
