Policy priority: Govt focusing on education sector, says Shahbaz

British high commissioner calls on chief minister

LAHORE:

The government is focusing on promotion of education to eliminate terrorism and extremism, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Saturday.

He was talking to British High Commissioner Thomas Drew who called on him.

“Education can help curb the trends of favouring extremism and terrorism. Therefore, the Punjab government is paying special attention to the uplift of education sector. Far-reaching measures have been taken for this purpose,” the CM said.

The chief minister said that there were strong relations between Pakistan and Britain. “British cooperation in education, health, skill development and other sectors is laudable. Interaction has increased between the Punjab and Britain in different sectors,” he said.

He said that ongoing programmes in education, health and skills development sectors were being successfully implemented with the cooperation of British Department for International Development. He said that government was promoting a culture of transparency and merit the in the completion of development projects.

“National resources are a trust of the people. Public money is being spent only on the welfare of the masses. Pakistan has made remarkable progress in various sectors, including controlling of energy crisis and elimination of terrorism and extremism. Compared to 2013, Pakistan today is more peaceful, safe, developed and stable,” he said.

Shahbaz Sharif said that there was no room for terrorism and extremism in the country. “No effort will be spared for achieving the mission of setting up a society based on peace and tolerance as envisioned by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah,” he said.

The British high commissioner said that there was a strong partnership between the government and Britain for the improvement of social sectors. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the Punjab government had taken bold measures for public welfare. He said that process of cooperation in social sectors would continue in future as well.

State minister meets CM

State Minister for Education Baleeghur Rehman met the chief minister on Saturday. The chief minister said that revolutionary steps had been taken for promotion of quality education. “Daanish schools equipped with the latest educational facilities have been established in backward areas. They are helping promote education and curb extremism,” he said.

The chief minister said that besides education, free boarding and lodging facilities were being provided to students in the Danish schools. “As many as 0.15 million brilliant students are getting education through the Punjab Educational Endowment Fund,” he said.

Separately, MNA Ghulam Bibi Barwana called on the chief minister. The CM said that the government was implementing a comprehensive programme for the development of the province. He said that measures were being taken on a priority basis for the uplift of backward areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 24^th, 2016.