PESHAWAR, Dec 11 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Friday said the government was focusing on promotion of education to prepare the youth to cope with the challenges of contemporary world.
Addressing at the centenary celebrations of Islamia College Peshawar here, the Prime Minister urged upon the students to focus their energies on attaining knowledge and explore modern fields particularly science and technology to serve the nation.
The Prime Minister in his address quoted several excerpts of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s speeches during his visit to Islamia College that laid emphasis on the students to aspire Quaid’s principle of faith, unity and discipline to be successful.
He said the Quaid-e-Azam had also urged upon the students to do not confine themselves to government service but also venture in diverse disciplines particularly scientific and technical education, business studies and banking.
The Prime Minister said he had dedicated this day for the cause of education and mentioned the launch of his Education’s Reforms Programme which aimed at renovation of 422 schools in the federal capital.
He said the government was revolutionizing education through improved curriculum, teachers’ training and facilities, added that the appointment of teachers would also be made on merit.
He called upon the provincial governments to follow suit and introduce similar educational initiatives in their respective provinces so the educational system should properly benefit the students.
The Prime Minister said the government was committed to eradication of terrorism from the country and had hit hard on militants. He said the situation had improved in most parts of the country including Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and lauded the services of armed forces, police and administration in restoration of peace.
Sharif said he was pleased to attend the centenary celebrations of Islamia College which had the rare privilege to be visited by the Quaid-e-Azam thrice.
Referring to the Quaid who had regarded Islamia College as his “own College”, the Prime Minister also termed the insitution as his own.
He directed the Higher Education Commission to issue a grant of one billion rupees for Islamia College for its different educational projects.
He also announced Rs 50 million for the welfare of students and teachers of the institution.
Later, the Prime Minister wrote his comments in the visitors’ book.
Vice Chancellor Islamia College Professor Ajmal Khan highlighted the contributions of Islamia College during 100 years for the promotion of quality education.
He said enrollment at Islamia College was the desire of every students and added that 11,000 students and a team of dedicated were part of ‘Islamians’ team at present
President of Islamians Alumni Association Lt Gen (retd) Ali Muhammad Jan Orakzai said the Islamia College was not only catering to the educational needs of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa but also of Gilgit Baltistan and Afghanistan for a century.
He also mentioned that Quaid-e-Azam had visited Islamia College thrice and had termed it his “own institution”.He said Islamia College had produced renowned politicians, engineers, artists and war heroes.
A contingent of students presented salute to the Prime Minister and drilled to the tunes of national songs. Governor KPK Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan, State Minister for Education Balighur Rehman and Speaker KPK Assembly Asad Qaiser.
Faculty of teachers, parents, alumni and students attended the ceremony.
