Shahbaz Sharif distributes thousands of laptops at GCU

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Punjab government has taken revolutionary steps for the welfare of the male and female students and uplift of education sector during last five years. He said that provision of resources for the improvement of education sector is not expenditure but a useful investment and right of the youth which Punjab government has fulfilled efficiently. He said that laptops worth Rs.8 billion are being distributed whereas ujala programme has been started with an amount of Rs.2.5 billion under which solar panels are being distributed free of cost among talented male and female students of government schools on merit.

Shahbaz Sharif said that no doubt it is an era of science, technology and research but Pakistan is far behind in the field of science and technology. He stressed the need for development in information technology, science and research for putting the country and the nation on the road to prosperity.

He was addressing an impressive laptops distribution ceremony among Ph.D and M.Phil scholars from all over Punjab at historic Oval Ground of Government College University Lahore today. The Chief Minister said that laptops are being given to six thousand Ph.D and M.Phil scholars on merit. The Chief Minister said he considers that the teachers are builders of the society and future of the nation depends on them. He said that the process of distribution of laptops which has been started for creating awareness among the youth about information technology will bring positive results as they can get awareness about the modern knowledge of the world through laptops and can bring the country at par with the developed nations by getting expertise in the education of science and technology. He said that laptops can be helpful in the preparation of recommendations for improvement of economy.

The Chief Minister said that new methods can be developed through laptops for generating energy through alternative sources, utilization of natural resources, elimination of energy crisis and increase in agriculture production. He said that Pakistan is far behind the neighboring countries in the field of science and technology. He said that if development was not made in science, technology and research, Pakistan would not march forward in the comity of nations. He said that we would have to march forward with sincerity for achieving this objective and the goals of development can only be achieved through hard work.

Shahbaz Sharif said that if intentions are good, the problems can be overcome. He said that there is lack of positive contacts between faculty and industry, trade and agriculture and it is the need of the hour to improve these contacts. The Chief Minister said that the course of history can be changed through practical steps in right direction and collective approach. He said that Pakistan can be made a donor country instead of begging one. Shahbaz Sharif said although resolution of problems being faced by the country is difficult but not impossible. He said that if the leadership is committed, the destiny becomes easier. He said that Punjab government has made considerable improvement in the field of education. Laptops are being given to the students on merit and now Ph.D and M.Phil scholars have also been included in this scheme. Guard of honours have been presented to the position holder students. They have been stayed at Governor House and Punjab House. Cash prizes were given to the position holders and the students who have shown outstanding performance in the speech contests. He said that study tours to foreign universities were arranged for position holders and I.T. labs have been set up in more than four thousand high schools.

The Chief Minister said that Education Endowment Fund has been set up first time in the history of the country and its amount has reached Rs.10 billion. He said that more than forty thousand male and female students are getting education in local and foreign educational institutions through this fund. Shahbaz Sharif said that Daanish schools better than Aitchison and Grammer schools have been set up in the backward areas. Medical colleges and women universities have been set up. He said that these steps of Punjab government for the uplift of education sector during the last five years are unprecedented in the history of the country. He said that still this journey has not been completed and we have to travel a long for the betterment of education sector.

The Chief Minister gave away laptops to Ph.D and M.Phil scholars and congratulated them. Vice Chancellor Govt. College University, Dr. Khaliq uz Zaman and Secretary Higher Education also addressed the function. Senior Advisor Sirdar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa, Special Assistant Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri, Advisor Begum Zakia Shahnawaz, members national and provincial assemblies, vice chancellors, professors, deans and a large number of teachers attended the function.