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SHEIKHUPURA, Nov 08 (APP): Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain has said that sustainable national development requires strong and consistent progress in the education and health sectors.
He added that the incumbent government, under Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, is taking significant measures to improve the education and health sectors.
He expressed these views while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) Regional Centre in Sheikhupura on Saturday.
The minister congratulated AIOU Vice Chancellor Dr. Nasir Mahmood, his team, and the people of Sheikhupura on the establishment of the new campus. He said it has always been his priority to serve the people of his constituency alongside serving Pakistan.
Rana Tanveer Hussain noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has placed special focus on education. He worked vigorously to improve academic standards nationwide. He said Islamabad’s universities are now placed among some of the world’s leading institutions. He added that the importance of AIOU increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and today its enrolment exceeds 1.1 million students. He informed that computer classes will soon begin at the newly inaugurated regional centre.
Rana Tanveer Hussain also highlighted that the National Skills University has set up a campus in Muridke while Quaid-i-Azam University has opened a campus in Sharqpur. He said Sheikhupura is rapidly progressing in the field of education with almost every major university now operating a campus in the district, adding that efforts are underway to establish a Punjab University campus as well.
Referring to national issues, he said that after the war with India, the world acknowledged Pakistan as a strong nation, and now the Prime Minister is working to ensure economic stability. He said that under Nawaz Sharif’s leadership from 2013 to 2018, Pakistan had managed to break free of IMF dependency, but the change brought in 2018 pushed the country to the brink of default. He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, through dedication and sound decisions, saved the country from default with support from friendly nations, and that the economy is now moving toward stability as international financial institutions acknowledge Pakistan’s performance.
Rana Tanveer Hussain said this would be the last IMF programme and that Pakistan would soon be able to take its own economic decisions. He informed that the wheat support price has been set at Rs 3,500 per maund for this year to provide relief to farmers and that the government plans to procure 6.2 million tonnes of wheat. He added that rice production has been recorded at an all-time high and global demand for Pakistani rice and meat is increasing, which will further strengthen the economy through higher exports. He said the new AIOU campus will provide quality education opportunities to students of Sheikhupura and surrounding areas.
Talking to the media, Rana Tanveer Hussain said that the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment will be approved by the Senate and National Assembly within the coming week, and that all coalition parties stand united behind it. He said the proposed amendment includes 40 new clauses, while eight additional clauses are being considered to formally establish a Constitutional Court. He said that although the 26th Amendment mentioned the court, five new clauses will now ensure its practical formation.
The minister said that after the war with India, it became clear that strengthening the central command was essential, and under the proposed amendment, the three armed forces will now operate under a single commander. He explained that although the post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff existed previously, it lacked effective authority, which is now being fully granted.
He said the government’s proposals on the NFC Award are in the national interest. Since population control measures implemented by provinces did not yield desired results, the federal level is now offering suggestions. He added that the issue of dual nationality for officers has also been included in the amendment, although the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has expressed reservations.
Rana Tanveer Hussain clarified that the 27th Amendment would not negatively affect the state structure, calling contrary propaganda baseless. He said constitutional amendments are required from time to time to strengthen the system and noted that despite the substantial powers devolved under the 18th Amendment, provinces were unable to fully deliver expected results.
On Afghanistan, he said there is currently no need to convene a meeting of the National Security Committee. Pakistan desires peaceful relations with Afghanistan and expects it not to become part of any proxy conflict. He said efforts to improve bilateral relations through dialogue are underway.