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PESHAWAR, Dec 30 (APP):Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON, and President of Pakistan Muslim League (N) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Engineer Amir Muqam, on Tuesday said that the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme is a historic and visionary project aimed at empowering the youth and is being implemented purely on merit.
He emphasized that women’s education is among the government’s top priorities, and that the modern Women’s Campus of the University of Swat will play an important role in providing quality educational facilities to female students.
He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony for the distribution of laptops under the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme and the formal inauguration of the new Women’s Campus at the University of Swat.
Federal Minister Engineer Amir Muqam formally inaugurated the new campus.
The project has been completed at a total cost of Rs. 1.3 billion, which was announced by former Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
While addressing the inauguration ceremony, Engineer Amir Muqam reiterated that women’s education is a top priority of the government and that this modern Women’s Campus will significantly contribute to providing quality educational facilities to female students.
He said that the completion of this project is practical proof of then PM Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s educational vision, which aims to promote higher education opportunities across the country.
The Federal Minister said that during former PM Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Swat in 2016, the university campuses of Swabi and Shangla were approved.
He expressed his happiness at visiting Swat for the second time to distribute laptops among students.
The project was initially launched by former Chief Minister of Punjab, Mian Shahbaz Sharif, and is now being successfully carried forward by Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif.
Unfortunately, the project was discontinued in 2018, but soon after becoming Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif restored this important educational initiative.
Engineer Amir Muqam said that so far more than one million male and female students across the country have been provided with laptops.
He said that a laptop is not merely a device but a vision that connects the younger generation with modern education, research, and technology. He expressed the hope that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government would also create a spirit of healthy competition through similar development and educational projects.
He said that the federal government is ready to provide 50 percent support for educational projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Laptops will continue to be provided to students on merit, and providing teachers with opportunities for higher education and research abroad is an urgent need of the time.
While addressing the gathering, Engineer Amir Muqam referred to the sacrifices made in Swat and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the fight against terrorism.
He said that there was a time when coming to this area seemed like a dream, but peace was restored due to the great sacrifices of the people and the security forces.
He added that Pashtun youth are highly talented and can produce the country’s best engineers, doctors, professionals, and leaders. “We must eliminate the perception that we are not serious; Pakistan belongs to all of us, and the youth must come forward to lead the country.”
The Federal Minister said that today he had the opportunity to listen to students’ speeches, which was a very pleasant experience. He said that this is not just a laptop but a vision and a symbol of a bright future for the younger generation.
Students are not meant only to raise slogans; they are the intellectual capital of the nation.
He said, “I stand before you today, having faced death closely seven times in my life, yet despite all obstacles and hardships, I remain steadfast on the path of truth. As a nation, we have always faced difficult circumstances with courage. History bears witness that only those nations succeed which remember their past and learn lessons from it.”
He added the nation has endured the pain of migration and homelessness, and that people were internally displaced.
“We have also seen how our armed forces defeated one of the world’s major states in May last. Our Field Marshal Gen Syed Asim Munir led the country with courage and bravery. I myself was present on the border in Azad Kashmir during Pakistan–India clashes, and the country earned global recognition by giving a timely and strong response to the enemy.”
The Federal Minister said that he has always represented the entire province and his areas in the best possible manner and has taken pride in serving the people.
He said helping the public has given him deep personal satisfaction. He expressed his belief that with sincerity of intention, all of us can become successful individuals.
He said that an auditorium is a pressing need for the university, and he will strongly raise his voice in this regard. Along with this, sports grounds, gyms, and other facilities are also essential for educational institutions. He added that although provinces have already been given increased funds, he will continue to play every possible role for the people and students of Swat.
In conclusion, he congratulated the students and said that with sincerity, hard work, and national spirit, everyone can succeed. He said that he is proud of them and proudly states that he is one of them.
Earlier, on the arrival of the Federal Minister, Vice Chancellor of the University of Swat, Hassan Sher, along with faculty members, warmly welcomed him and briefed him about the university.
The Federal Minister also planted a tree on the lawn of the new Women’s Campus.
On this occasion, local Pakistan Muslim League (N) leaders including Qaimos Khan (President Upper Swat), Azmat Ali Khan, Sher Qadam, Wajid Ali Khan, Irshad Khan, Tilawat Khan, Maqsood Ali, former minister Muhammad Ali Shah, Haji Imran, former Member of the Provincial Assembly Sardar Khan, and Fariq Ali Khan were also present.