Thousands of youths in Karachi assembled at the Railway Ground on Saturday to take the aptitude test for the Bano Qabil 3.0 programme of the Alkhidmat NGO. The test for aspiring candidates was held by the Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi’s South chapter. The theme was ‘Free Palestine’.
Addressing the candidates, JI Pakistan chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that the Bano Qabil initiative is a big opportunity for youths, particularly in the prevalent gloomy situation.
Rehman said that although all the indicators for growth of nations are negative, the resilient nation is still alive, and there is hope among the youth for revival and bouncing back.
He said that the state is responsible for providing quality education and literacy to the citizens, but the “successive corrupt regimes” have failed the nation in this regard.
Unfortunately, he pointed out, 26.2 million children are out of school in this country, while the drop-out rate at every level of education is also horrible, with the middle class struggling for its existence.
He also said that hopeless people cannot bring any change. He advised the youth to become agents of positive change and hope in society. Hopelessness among youth will empower drug lords, he added. He urged the youth to become volunteers for the Bano Qabil programme. “Sky is the limit.”
The JI chief said his party is going to offer free IT education for a million youths over the next one year. Similarly, he said, the programme is going to be extended to schoolteachers over the next month.
He added that 100,000 teachers would be equipped with free IT education over the next one year, and that these teachers would equip schoolchildren with the desired IT skill-set.
He highlighted the $30 billion export potential in the IT sector, and declared the IT sector a gateway to economic revolution in the country. He expressed hope that Karachi would be the next IT hub in the region.
He quoted experts as saying that exports in the IT sector of Pakistan brought in $3 billion. Almost $6 billion can be brought in immediately if the government puts its house in order, he remarked.
Rehman said that the potential for exports in the sector is $30 billion, and we as a nation have to explore this potential. He also shed light on the role of youths, and urged them to use social media positively. Feel proud of Islam and Pakistan, he advised them.
JI Karachi chief Munem Zafar advised the youth to focus on acquiring the relevant skill-sets. He said that our aspirations and future are associated with Pakistan, and we would have to take care of it. He advised them to turn their challenges into opportunities.
Cricketer Sarfaraz Ahmed also graced the occasion with his presence. He received a standing ovation at the event. He hailed the JI and Rehman for the initiative.
He also advised the youth to pray regularly and engage in hard work. He predicted that the green shirts would bounce back in the T20 World Cup with the match on Sunday (today).
Bano Qabil Programme Country Director Naveed Ali Baig, JI leader Syed Abdul Rasheed and others also spoke on the occasion.