Graduates must work for national progress: finance minister

Dr Pasha hopes youth will serve Pakistan in a better way as compared to her generation

LAHORE: Our youth is extremely talented and they must play their role to bring the country out of challenges and make its future bright as per the vision of Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam, said Punjab Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha.

She was addressing the second-degree awarding ceremony of the Institute of Communication Studies, University of Punjab.

In her address at Faisal Auditorium on Saturday, Dr Pasha while congratulating the graduating students, said that Pakistan was passing through a difficult time due to internal and external challenges. "We hope that our graduating youth will serve the country in a better way as compared to our generation."

The minister said that Pakistan so far could not get a position of respect in the comity of nations. However, she added that respect was much deserved given the country’s geopolitical location, minerals, wealth and human resource potentials. "We have tried to contribute; now it's the responsibility of our youth to take Pakistan towards prosperity and progress through national development."

PU Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Zakria Zakar advised the students to abide by the journalistic code of ethics in their professional lives. The VC appreciated the ICS administration for setting the new tradition of taking an oath from graduates.

A total of 360 students of various disciplines of ICS including BS (Hons), MSc (Morning, Replica,), MSc Development Journalism, MSc Film and TV, MPhil Research Track and MPhil Professional Track were awarded degrees, while 35 distinguished graduates were awarded PU ICS and Maulana Zafar Ali Khan Medals.

Senior retired teachers, who served ICS, were presented with special appreciation shields for their meritorious services to the institutions.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 8^th, 2018.