Extremism, poverty can be defeated through education: Dr Baloch

Islamabad

Illiteracy and poverty are the main challenges being faced by the people of Balochistan. However, through education, extremism and poverty can be defeated, said the former chief minister of Balochistan, Dr. Malik Baloch.

He was addressing a reception organised by the Inter-University Consortium for Promotion of Social Sciences (IUCPSS) in honour of Dr. Kamran Asdar Ali, president of the American Institute of Pakistan Studies (AIPS) and visiting delegation from the University of Texas, Austin. Vice chancellors, rectors, diplomats, academicians, heads and representatives of various international and national organisations, media persons and government officials from different parts of the country attended the event.

Dr. Malik Baloch also urged the inter-provincial expertise and experience sharing in higher education sector. He said that elimination of extremism and poverty are only possible when we equip our youngsters with education.

He appreciated the role of the Inter-University Consortium for Promotion of Social Sciences and its partner organisations for strengthening higher education in Balochistan and other remote parts of the country. “Every possible cooperation would be extended to making the Social Sciences Expo a successful event,” he assured.

IUCPSS Chairman and University of Haripur Vice Chancellor Dr. Nasser Ali Khan announced that as per follow-up of Roadmap for Strengthening Social Sciences in Pakistan, the year of 2016 would be celebrated as year of social sciences. In this regard, the inter-university consortium in close collaboration with its partner organisations would organise yearlong activities. The Jang Media Group and inter-university consortium would organise Asia's first-ever International Social Sciences Expo on February 24-25 in Islamabad. He lauded the contribution of the American Institute of Pakistan Studies for undertaking various useful collaborative programmes in the fields of social sciences, arts and humanities.

American Institute of Pakistan Studies President Dr. Kamran Asdar Ali called for the promotion of critical thinking on university campuses and highlighted the importance of social sciences in this regard. He assured that AIPS would continue to work closely with Pakistani academia and inter-university consortium in the areas of faculty training and research. He appreciated the efforts of the IUCPSS and its partner universities for taking a number of new initiatives.

The speakers said that social sciences are vital for promoting peace, tolerance, co-existence and critical thinking. Collaborative efforts by Pakistani universities and linkages with foreign universities in the areas of social sciences can be greatly helpful in addressing various socio-economic problems being confronted by Pakistani society, preservation of rich cultural heritage of Pakistan and building the soft image of Pakistan.