Development budget for HEC increased to Rs. 47 bln for providing better opportunities to youth: Ahsan

ISLAMABAD, May 2 (APP):Minister for Interior, Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday said for providing better opportunities
to the youth the present government has increased development budget of Higher
Education Commission (HEC) from Rs. 13 billion in 2013 to Rs. 47 billion.
The development budget of HEC was Rs. 22 billion in 2016-17,
Rs. 35 billion in 2017-18 and now it has been increased to Rs. 47
billion, he said this while addressing a launching ceremony of
National Human Development Report – Unleashing potential of a Young
Pakistan.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan has
launched the Report which has been authored by Dr. Adil Najam and
Dr. Faisal Bari. The Report focuses on the youth as a critical force
for shaping human development, because Pakistan currently has the largest
generation of young people ever in its history, with about two-thirds of total
population under 30 years of age.
Ahsan Iqbal said, “Future of Pakistan is linked with its youth.
We have to train the youth as per our future requirements. The
incumbent government is making concerted efforts to make the youth an
asset of the country.”
The Minister said the youth have a crucial role in economic
development of a country, adding that “We are digitally empowering
the youth through provision of laptops to ensure their contribution
in process of progress and prosperity.”
Pakistan is included in countries where youth is in majority, he
said and added the government’s utmost priority is to make investment in
youth for ensuring peace and prosperity.
He said present government has laid foundation of knowledge economy
in the country. The basic of literacy, he said is computer literacy which
would transform entire system based on modern technology.
Ahsan Iqbal, who is also Minister for Planning Development
and Reforms said, standards of development had changed and now the
development of a country depended upon a few things.
“We need to enhance our production capacity and improve our
standard continuously. We need to introduce knowledge and
information revolution in the country and introduce innovations in
all sectors,” he said.
The Minister said Pakistan had huge potential to get place
among top economies of the world for which “We need to conduct
research on modern ground,” adding that the government had already
started projects to establish centres of excellence for artificial
intelligence, cyber security, big data, cloud computing and robots.
He said digital Pakistan was aimed at equipping the young
generation with modern technology to ensure its effective usage.
“We must put Pakistan on road to prosperity with help of
all areas and segments of the country,” however, it is only possible
when we have competitiveness and stability.
He said the government had already taken effective initiatives
to establish universities campus at each district of the country to provide
quality education for students at local level.
Speaking on economic turnaround of Pakistan, the Minister
said the economy has seen a steady growth from 2.5% in 2013 to 5.8 %.
The Minister also updated the audience on improved energy situation
in the country and said more than 11,000 MW electricity has been added to
national grid during last five years while during 66 years only 18,000 MW
electricity was generated.
He appreciated UNDP for launch of its report which, he said,
would help in shaping policy for Pakistan’s youth.
In her brief address, Chairperson, Benazir Income Support
Programme (BISP), Marvi Memon said she is committed to putting
into action the important recommendations of this report and will
take the report to parliament.
Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Takashi Kurai termed the
report as excellent and comprehensive and emphasized the need of
urgency to act and realize true potential of youth in Pakistan.
Dr. Adil Najam said he is proud to have been part of such a
bright, dedicated and insightful team and thanked the other team members.
On the occasion, United Nations Resident Coordinator and
Humanitarian Coordinator Neil Buhne and UNDP Country Director,
Mr. Ignacio Artaza highlighted different features of the Report.
They said it is imperative to invest in youth now, today, while
they are still youth; not only to enhance personal well-being of the
youth but also to enhance country’s human development.