Punjab is lucky that it has a Chief Minister like Shahbaz Sharif :Governor Ch Muhammad Sarwar

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that young generation is a precious asset and the hope for a bright future of the country. He said that Pakistani women are talented and playing an important role in medical, engineering, education, health and other sectors of national development. He said that the nation is proud of its daughters. He made an appeal to women to join the practical field after getting their degrees instead of sitting in their homes and play an active role for national progress and development. He said that the destiny of the nation can be changed and Pakistan can regain its lost status in the comity of nations through honesty, hard work and determination.

He was addressing as chief guest the 11^th convocation of Lahore College for Women University, here today. The function was presided over by Governor Punjab and Chancellor of the University Ch. Muhammad Sarwar. Provincial Ministers Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Zakia Shahnawaz, Secretary Higher Education, Secretary Information, Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Dr. Sabiha Mansoor, university professors, deans, faculty members and a large number of students were present.

The Chief Minister said that Lahore College for Women University is playing an important role in equipping the women with education and the graduates of the university are rendering invaluable services in different sectors. He said that universities should be the centre of education and research but unfortunately no university of the country is among the 500 top universities of the world. He said that vice chancellors, education authorities and experts should bring the standard of education and research in Pakistani universities at par with international universities. He assured that Punjab government is ready to provide all out funds for this purpose. Congratulating the students who obtained degrees, the Chief Minister said that their glorious success is a result of hard work and dedication.

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif despite rain and inclement weather attended the 11^th annual convocation of Lahore College for Women University. While congratulating the students on obtaining BS, MS, MPhil and Ph.D degrees, Shahbaz Sharif assured that if Lahore College for Women University succeeded to include its name in 500 prominent universities of the world on the basis of its performance, Punjab government will provide resources generously. Shahbaz Sharif asked the Vice Chancellor that this is a challenge for you and also an opportunity. He said that although it is a difficult job yet not impossible.

Governor Punjab Ch. Muhammad Sarwar while addressing the convocation congratulated the students who had obtained degrees, medals and awards and said that their success was the result of their hard work for which credit also goes to their teachers and parents. He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is determined to promote education and has therefore, doubled the amount of budget for education sector.

Governor Punjab Ch. Muhammad Sarwar paying rich tributes to Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on his steps for the improvement of education and other sectors at the function declared him a hard working and visionary leader. The Governor said that Punjab is lucky that it has a Chief Minister like Shahbaz Sharif who personally monitored relief activities during the worst flood in the history of the country in 2010. He said that setting up of Punjab Higher Education Commission is another achievement of Shahbaz Sharif.

The Chief Minister expressed pleasure in his speech over the fact that the daughters of the nation have taken lead in medical, engineering and other educational sectors over boys. He said in a lighter mood that booti mafia has been eliminated from Punjab. He said that now “nakal makaani” (migration) can take place here but “nakal” cannot be done.

Referring to adoption of Pakistan Resolution and aims and objectives of creation of Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif said that exemplary unity and brotherhood was displayed at that time which became the basis of Pakistan Resolution. He stressed the need for the revival of the same spirit.

The Chief Minister read following couplet on this occasion:

Aik hi saf mein kharay ho gai mehmood o ayaz

Na koi banda raha no koi banda nawaz

He concluded his speech on this couplet:

In andheron mein bhi manzil tak ponch saktay hein hum

Jugnoon ko rasta to yad hona chahiye