Maryam Nawaz Awards Gold Medals at Kinnaird College Convocation, Announces Laptops and Five Buses

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif attended the 89th convocation of Kinnaird College for Women in Lahore, where she awarded degrees and gold medals to high-achieving students and announced laptops for position holders and five buses for the college.

The ceremony celebrated the academic achievements of Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil) graduates. Faculty members were also recognised for their contributions to teaching and research.

During her address, the chief minister highlighted the importance of women’s education, equal opportunities, financial independence and safer public spaces.

Laptops for Position Holders and Five Buses for Kinnaird College

Maryam Nawaz announced laptops for position-holding students and five buses for Kinnaird College for Women. The announcements were presented as part of the provincial government’s broader efforts to support education and improve opportunities for women.

The laptops are intended for high-achieving students, while the additional buses could help strengthen transport arrangements for the college community.

Further details, including the distribution schedule for laptops and the expected delivery and operation of the buses, were not specified in the reports reviewed.

Gold Medals Awarded to BS and MPhil Graduates

The chief minister presented degrees and gold medals to position-holding students across several academic disciplines. Faculty members also received awards in recognition of their teaching and research services.

Among the recipients of special medals were:

Gold medals were also presented to students in Social Sciences, Environmental Science and Food Science, among other disciplines.

MPhil medal recipients included Farheen Nasir in Life Sciences, Malaika Tariq in Mathematics and Physical Sciences, Maryam Tariq in Arts, and Iqra Wardah Yasin in Social Sciences.

The awards recognised academic performance across a range of subjects and highlighted the achievements of graduating students.

Maryam Nawaz Calls for Greater Opportunities for Women

Addressing the graduates, Maryam Nawaz said women should be encouraged to pursue their ambitions rather than face social pressure to limit their education or careers.

She acknowledged that women can face different expectations from men when pursuing professional goals. She urged students to remain confident, work hard and use their education to improve their prospects.

The chief minister also spoke about balancing professional responsibilities with family life, stressing that women should not be discouraged from entering the workforce because of assumptions about domestic responsibilities.

She said the government wanted to create conditions in which women could study, work and participate more fully in public life.

Focus on Women’s Safety and Public Transport

The chief minister said harassment and violence against women would not be tolerated in Punjab. She highlighted safety measures on electric buses, including CCTV cameras and panic buttons, intended to help passengers report incidents and support a quicker response.

She encouraged female students to report harassment and urged parents to listen to their daughters’ concerns.

Safer public transport is an important part of improving access to education and employment, particularly for students and women who depend on buses and other shared transport to travel across cities.

The practical effectiveness of such measures depends on their proper operation, passenger awareness and timely responses to complaints.

Scholarships and Educational Support

Maryam Nawaz also referred to provincial initiatives, including the Honhaar Scholarship Programme, laptop distribution and Nawaz Sharif Schools of Eminence.

She said the government aimed to help students continue their education regardless of their financial circumstances. Such initiatives are particularly relevant for students who may struggle to meet education-related expenses.

The long-term impact of these programmes will depend on transparent eligibility criteria, timely delivery of support and access for students who meet the relevant requirements.

Kinnaird College Celebrates Academic Achievement

The ceremony opened according to college tradition, with Chairman of the Board of Governors Bishop Alexander John Malik formally opening the event. Kinnaird College Principal Iram Anjum welcomed the chief minister.

Bishop Alexander John Malik praised initiatives aimed at supporting women and female students. The programme also included a special musical performance by students.

A particularly warm moment came when the chief minister congratulated a special student who received a gold medal, drawing applause from the audience.

The convocation brought together students, families, faculty members and college leadership to celebrate the graduates’ academic achievements.

Conclusion

Maryam Nawaz’s visit to Kinnaird College’s 89th convocation combined recognition of academic excellence with announcements of laptops for position holders and five buses for the institution.

Her address also focused on women’s education, equal opportunities, safety and financial independence. The next important steps will be the implementation of the announced support and continued efforts to ensure that students can access education and pursue careers without unnecessary barriers.

Editorial note: Details are based on media reports published on October 20–21, 2026. Confirm the implementation schedule for the laptop and bus announcements with the Punjab government or Kinnaird College before publishing any subsequent updates.