Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced a groundbreaking initiative today to promote education across the province, introducing the ‘CM Education Card’ to reward high-achieving students. The scheme, unveiled during a press briefing in Lahore, aims to recognize academic excellence and incentivize educational attainment, marking a significant step in Nawaz’s vision for educational reform in Pakistan’s most populous province.
Under the initiative, students scoring above 80% marks will receive the ‘CM Eminence Star Card,’ a prestigious recognition of their academic achievements, as reported by The Express Tribune and the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). The CM Education Card will facilitate access to school resources and opportunities, while the Eminence Star Card will carry additional benefits, such as priority enrollment in advanced programs and potential scholarships, though specific details are yet to be finalized.
“Education is the cornerstone of our future, and we want to celebrate and support our brightest minds,” Nawaz stated during the announcement. “This initiative will motivate students to strive for excellence and ensure they have the tools to succeed.” The move aligns with her broader agenda to transform Punjab’s education system, which includes establishing state-of-the-art Schools of Eminence in every tehsil, introducing technical education from grade five, and setting up modern labs for matriculation and technical training.
According to APP, Nawaz also set a 90-day deadline for improving school infrastructure, mandating the provision of drinking water, whitewashing, and furniture in schools across Punjab. A pilot project for English conversation classes has already been launched in 338 schools in Lahore, with plans to introduce international English courses with certification in government schools. These efforts build on her family’s legacy in education, as Nawaz has long been involved with the Sharif Education Institutes, established by her grandfather, Muhammad Sharif, as noted in her Wikipedia profile.
The announcement comes amid Nawaz’s tenure as Punjab’s first female chief minister, a position she assumed following her victory in the 2024 Pakistani general election. Her political career, which began in 2012 under the guidance of her father, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, has increasingly focused on women’s empowerment and education. In 2012, she collaborated on the Punjab Women Empowerment Package and the Pink Bus scheme, initiatives aimed at supporting women’s welfare and access to education, as detailed in her Wikipedia entry.
The ‘CM Education Card’ initiative has been praised by education experts but also raises questions about implementation and funding. The Punjab Textbook Board has reportedly saved one billion rupees, which Nawaz plans to reinvest in educational projects, including the distribution of textbooks at the start of the academic session in March—a first for the province, according to APP. Additionally, a KPI-based performance monitoring system for education officers and teachers will ensure accountability, while the School Teacher Internship Program will recruit 12,500 interns, with 568,000 candidates already applying.
Nawaz’s personal commitment to education was further highlighted when she praised Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat for enrolling his son in an Early Childhood Education Centre, calling it a “model example” of leadership by example. The chief minister also emphasized road safety, directing strict implementation of zebra crossings in front of schools to protect students.
The initiative reflects broader trends in Pakistan, where students increasingly rely on social media for educational decisions, as noted in a U.S. trade report on Pakistan’s education sector. With English-speaking countries like the U.S., UK, and Australia ranking as top destinations for Pakistani students, Nawaz’s focus on English language programs could position Punjab as a leader in preparing youth for global opportunities.
As Punjab moves forward with these transformative measures, the ‘CM Education Card’ stands as a beacon of hope for students, signaling Nawaz’s determination to elevate educational standards and reward excellence in the province.
