PESHAWAR, Feb 11 (APP): Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON, and President of Pakistan Muslim League (N) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Engineer Amir Muqam, said here Wednesday that the world has accepted Pakistan as a champion ruling the skies.
“To take the country forward, we must adopt merit. Laptops under PM scheme are being distributed purely on merit, and the youth are Pakistan’s bright future,” he said while addressing, as the chief guest at Khyber Medical University under the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme for the distribution of laptops among students.
In his address, Federal Minister Engineer Amir Muqam said that the Vice Chancellor of Khyber Medical University, Hilal-e-Imtiaz Professor Dr Zia-ul-Haq, present at the ceremony, is a source of pride for us, and he was pleased to be among the students.
He reiterated that the youth are Pakistan’s bright future and that laptops are being distributed on the basis of merit.
The Federal Minister said that the laptop scheme was first launched in 2011 by then Chief Minister of Punjab, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
When Muhammad Nawaz Sharif became Prime Minister of Pakistan in 2013, the scheme was expanded across Pakistan and continued successfully.
Unfortunately, it was discontinued in 2018, but after remaining suspended for four years during PTI rule, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif restarted this landmark program in 2022.
He emphasized that the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme is being run purely on merit. If the country is to progress, merit must be adopted. He congratulated the students who received laptops and their parents, saying that their children earned them on merit and that the scheme is 100 percent merit-based.
Addressing the students, he said that they are the future of the country and will be responsible for running it; therefore, investing in youth is investing in the nation’s future.
He strongly condemned the recent incidents of terrorism in Islamabad and earlier in Balochistan, saying that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has itself been a victim of terrorism and its people understand the importance of peace.
“The memory of the APS tragedy is still fresh. Therefore, everyone must play a role in ensuring peace. With peace, education and employment will flourish, and there should be no compromise on peace.”
He said that in May last year, India attacked Pakistan, but by the grace of Allah, the defense of Pakistan was in strong hands. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the Pakistan Armed Forces defeated an enemy ten times larger in such a way that even their children will remember it.
At that time, a remarkable spirit was witnessed among the people. If that spirit of faith exists, no one can compete with Pakistan.
He added that their intentions are sincere and that it is not possible to deprive students of facilities like laptops. He said he never had a personal desire to become a minister, but considered service as worship. Despite facing life-threatening attacks, he never stepped back from serving the people. He stressed that one must have a spirit of service, and one day Allah will assign great responsibilities to such individuals.
He remarked that the medical profession is one of the most difficult professions, and without a spirit of service, one cannot become a successful doctor.
With dedication to serving humanity, success is destined. Without a sense of Pakistani identity, nothing will remain if the country exists; we all exist.
He assured that he would cooperate in resolving any issues faced by the students. He said that after the war with India, Pakistan’s prestige greatly increased, and the world has now acknowledged Pakistan as a champion ruling the skies.
Earlier, upon his arrival at Khyber Medical University (KMU), Peshawar, Federal Minister Engineer Amir Muqam was warmly received. Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Zia-ul-Haq, faculty members, and administrative officers welcomed him.
On this occasion, the Vice Chancellor gave a detailed briefing to the Federal Minister on the university’s academic, research, and administrative affairs. He informed him about KMU’s academic performance, ongoing development projects, research activities, and facilities provided to students.
The Federal Minister appreciated the university’s performance and said that quality medical education and research are the need of the hour, and the government will provide all possible support for improvement in this sector. He said that KMU is playing an important role not only in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but across the country in promoting medical education.
He assured that the federal government will take serious steps to enhance the capacity of educational institutions and resolve their issues.
Federal Minister Engineer Amir Muqam also planted a commemorative tree on the university lawn.