LAHORE Second position holder in matric examination in Gujranwala Board Ali Hamza, who is a fruit seller, called on Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, here Sunday. The chief minister congratulated Ali Hamza, his mother and his class teacher on obtaining second position in matric examination (Arts Group). Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that Ali Hamza is a great son of the nation who despite difficult circumstances showed splendid performance in matric examination. He said that achievement of Ali Hamza through determination and hard work despite limited resources has proved that Pakistani youths are capable of changing the course of history. He said the Punjab government was utilising all-out resources for the progress of low income but talented youths. He said Pakistan could be transformed in accordance with the ideals of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal by equipping students like Ali Hamza with education and such a country could be created which was based on socio-economic justice and equal opportunities were available to the children to move ahead. He said that education was the right of every child and it was the demand of social justice that equal educational facilities to all segments of the society especially poor children were available. He said the Punjab government was striving for promoting such an education system and for this purpose, educational institutions like Danish schools have been set up. He said if Ali Hamza maintained the same level of performance, full support would be extended to him and the Punjab government would bear all his educational expenses. He said Ali Hamza could receive education from any educational institution and the Punjab government would support him. He said the Punjab government in order to encourage position holder students give them cash prizes and send them on a visit to prestigious educational institutions of European countries. The mother of Ali Hamza informed that she was a heart patient and her husband was also ill for the last six years; therefore, it was very difficult for them to afford further education of their son. The chief minister announced that besides paying educational expenses of Ali Hamza, the Punjab government would also bear the expenses of treatment of the ailing parents of Ali Hamza. The chief minister said that teachers should pay attention to the education of their students and resolve their problems. The chief minister gave a cheque for Rs500,000 and a laptop to Ali Hamza while cash prize of Rs1.5 lakh was given to his teacher Haider Ashraf. He also announced making Government High School Daska a model school. Secretary Higher Education was also present on the occasion.
