Higher learning: Ajmal Khan urges opening ICU campuses in FATA

Education a top priority of the government, ACS assures the vice chancellor.

PESHAWAR:

FATA Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Azam Khan and Islamia College University Vice Chancellor (VC) Professor Ajmal Khan suggested during a meeting on Wednesday that campuses of the institute be extended to the tribal areas.

Professor Ajmal Khan remained in captivity of the Taliban for around four years before he was released in 2014. In multiple interviews since his release, Khan stressed upon the terrible state of education in the tribal belt.



During his meeting with the ACS, Ajmal Khan spoke about the policy and standard of education in Fata. He urged that Islamia College University campuses be established in different agencies to ensure quality higher education.

It was stated in the meeting that campuses would be set up in Parachinar, the headquarters of Kurram Agency, as well as Mir Ali tehsil of North Waziristan Agency (NWA) in the first phase. Local tribesmen of NWA have already donated 600 kanals for the college campus.

Lauding the suggestion of the VC, Azam Khan assured his support for the cause and said the FATA Secretariat along with the political administrations would extend every possible support to establish the campuses.

The ACS said the government has made education in Fata its top priority, adding huge amount of funds were allocated in the current budget for this purpose.

The ACS added quality education in Fata would ensure prosperity and development in the region. He asserted the government was striving to bring revolutionary changes in the lives of tribesmen by introducing reforms in education and other important sectors such as health and communication.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2014.