Lahore: "Athlete Mona Khan has proved that female athletes are no less than anyone," said Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif while meeting Goldmedalist of London Marathon 2025, athlete journalist Mona Khan and her coach Muhammad Yousuf. She gave them cheques worth Rs 5 lakh each when they presented her the gold medal won by athlete Mona Khan in 42.2-kilometer long London Marathon 2025. She also signed a T-shirt on Mona Khan's request. Athlete Mona Khan dressed Madam Chief Minister in Sindh's Ajrak and presented her a pencil sketch.

 

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif congratulated Mona Khan and her coach Muhammad Yousuf on their success, at which both of them thanked her for the patronage. She said,"Pakistani athletes and players are performing well in arenas around the world." She added,"Punjab Sports Program has been launched to promote sports in Punjab." She highlighted,"Punjab government is taking all possible measures to promote sports in the province. Our primary goal is to bring youth to the sports arenas."

 

 Chief Minister underscored,"1300 female players participated in the first/ever Pink Games held in the province in 2024, setting a record." She added,"Prize money of the Pink Games was increased from Rs 5 million to Rs 10 million." She vowed,"I will provide a conducive environment and facilities for female players and athletes to showcase their talents."

 

Athlete Mona Khan said,"A daughter of Punjab has shown unprecedented respect for a daughter of Sindh." She added,"Punjab has honored and encouraged her by inviting her." She attributed her medal to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. She acknowledged,"Maryam Nawaz Sharif is not only a very good Chief Minister, but a wonderful woman too." She noted,"Women are seen crying, but this is not true, Pakistani women are very brave."

 

Mona Khan said,"Because of Chief Minister Maryum Nawaz Sharif, I got the positive energy and honor." She added,"I have always heard praise from people of Punjab about Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Scholarships and laptops for students from Punjab and other provinces are good initiatives of Madam Chief Minister." She remarked,"Whenever I receive an honor at the international front, the name of Pakistan and Pakistan's daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif will also come up." She thanked Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for inviting her to Lahore and encouraging her. Her coach Muhammad Yousuf, Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Chief Secretary and Secretary Sports were also present in the meeting.