Moalims

LAHORE:
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced the construction of a school and a sports complex in Khuzdar.

He was talking to a delegation of girl students from Balochistan University of Engineering and Technology, Khuzdar.

Addressing the students, the CM said that the dream of development could not materialise without promotion of education. “The Punjab government has given Rs11 billion from its share in NFC Award to Balochistan. In five years, this comes to Rs55 billion,” he said.

He said that the government was ready to increase the quota for students from Balochistan in educational institutions in the Punjab. “We will take steps in this regard in consultation with Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Maalik,” he said.

The chief minister said that he would soon send a team to Balochistan for providing more facilities to the students in the educational institutions of the Punjab. “The Punjab government has included students from Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir in its educational programmes,” he said.

He also presented laptops to two teachers and the 40 students on behalf of the Punjab government.

The chief minister said that a cardiac care hospital was being constructed in Quetta for which Rs2 billion had been allocated. “Precious time and resources of the nation have been squandered in the past. However, we should not be disappointed. We should march forward,” he said. He said that such visits were important for provincial harmony.

“All political parties will have to be united on the agenda of development and prosperity of Pakistan. There is a need for working together,” he said.

The students thanked the chief minister. They said that the CM was serving the people. Ministers Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Begum Zakia Shahnawaz and Hameeda Waheeduddin, School Education Parliamentary Secretary Joyce Rufin Julius and Balochistan University of Engineering and Technology Khuzdar Vice Chancellor Brig (r) Muhammad Amin were also present.

Delegation visits UET, Lahore

The students also visited the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore. UET Vice Chancellor Fazal Ahmad Khalid welcomed the guests in the conference room and briefed them.

Amin thanked the UET, Lahore administration and appreciated their efforts for the development of his university. He also spoke about the conditions and availability of higher education institutions in Balochistan.

The UET, Lahore vice chancellor offered internships and exchange programme for students from Balochistan. He also offered the university’s support in establishing new departments at the Khuzdar university.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4th, 2015.