Punjab Chief Minister (CM), Maryam Nawaz Sharif has praised the federal budget presented by the federal government, calling it relief-oriented.
Maryam Nawaz said that the passed budget is a relief for the salaried class and ordinary people.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Punjab CM congratulated the Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, and his economic team on presenting what she called a welfare-focused budget.
She said the government’s economic policies were beginning to yield results and that the budget reflected a commitment to reducing financial pressures on the public.
Maryam Nawaz added that the measures announced in the budget would provide relief to salaried individuals while also supporting broader economic stability.
She added that initiatives aimed at strengthening industrial and agricultural growth would help create opportunities and extend the benefits of economic progress to different segments of society.
“The welfare-oriented budget will ensure that every segment of society becomes part of the country’s economic progress,” she said.
Separately, marking World Day Against Child Labour, Maryam Nawaz reaffirmed her government’s commitment to eliminating child labour and protecting children’s rights across Punjab.
In a special message, she described child labour as a challenge that required collective action and stressed the importance of providing children with education, healthcare and opportunities for healthy development.
The chief minister said Punjab had adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards child exploitation and warned that strict legal action would be taken against those employing children at brick kilns or other workplaces.
“Children are my red line,” she said, adding that violence, abuse and exploitation of children would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Punjab CM urged parents to prioritise their children’s education and well-being, saying every child deserved a safe and dignified future. She highlighted government initiatives, including the Honhaar Scholarship Programme and laptop distribution schemes, as efforts to encourage education and improve opportunities for young people.
She also pointed to the School Meal Programme, which aims to address malnutrition among schoolchildren, and said the provincial government remained committed to ensuring children’s nutrition, healthcare and overall welfare.
Calling for greater public awareness, the chief minister said ending child labour would require sustained efforts from government institutions, communities and families alike.
“Every child is our future. We want to see books and laptops in their hands, not bricks, stones or iron tools,” she said.
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