Private sector’s role in education vital, says PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that role of private sector in promotion of education in Pakistan is extremely important, adding that graduates from private educational institutions had made Pakistan proud in every field.

The prime minister laid the foundation stone of Ramday University to be constructed in Thagos, district Ghanche of Gilgit-Baltistan. The ground-breaking ceremony was held in Islamabad. The Ramday University is being built under a Trust, with construction set to be completed through the donations of overseas Pakistanis.

Addressing the ceremony, the prime minster extended his heartfelt felicitations to Justice (retd) Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday and all his friends on the establishment of Ramday University. “The efforts of all individuals and institutions who contributed to the establishment of Ramday University are appreciable,” he added.

The prime minister said the foundation had been laid down collectively for a bright future for the children here. “The establishment of an institution of higher learning in a remote area like Ghanche in Gilgit-Baltistan is highly encouraging.” He expressed his confidence that the university, located at an altitude of 11,000 feet in Thagos, will reach the peak of modern knowledge and research standards.

Shehbaz emphasized that the development of Gilgit-Baltistan and welfare of its people were among the government’s top priorities, adding that on Wednesday, during his visit to Gilgit-Baltistan, 62 affected families from the floods were handed over homes. Furthermore, he said a 100-megawatt solar energy project had been launched in Gilgit-Baltistan, which would help meet the region’s electricity needs.

During his recent visit to Gilgit Baltistan, the prime minister said he also announced the Gilgit-Baltistan Education and Endowment Fund, which would benefit deserving and talented students from the region, enabling them to play a role in the development of Pakistan as constructive members of society.

On the occasion Justice (retd) Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday said that the Ramday University was being established in Thagos on a 200-kanal area of land. “Ramday University will be one of the highest universities to be built at one of the world’s highest altitudes,” he said, adding that the university would offer education in subjects such as environmental studies, climate change, hydrology, minerals and others.

Meanwhile, in a meeting with newly appointed Ambassador of Turkiye to Pakistan Irfan Neziroglu, who called him at the PM House, the prime minister, while expressing satisfaction at the growing bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Turkiye, stressed the need to further deepen the bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and defence sectors.

He welcomed Ambassador Neziroglu, who presented his credentials to President Asif Ali Zardari on October 28, and said that he looked forward to working closely with the ambassador to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, according to a PM Office press release. The regional situation, particularly in Gaza and the Middle East, also came under discussion. Shehbaz conveyed his warm greetings and best wishes to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Separately, outgoing Ambassador of Nepal to Pakistan Tapas Adhikari paid a farewell call on the prime minister at the PM House. While fondly recalling his meeting with Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on the margins of the UNGA in New York in September this year, he underscored the need to expand bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade and investment.

Meanwhile, the prime minister congratulated Pakistani cueist Mohammad Asif for winning the IBSF World Snooker Championship title for the third time. In a thrilling final of the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) World Snooker Championship, Asif defeated Iran’s Asian champion Ali Ghareghozlou 5-3 to claim the title. “Mohammad Asif has made the nation proud by clinching the World Snooker Championship title for the third time. Asif’s family members and coach also deserve felicitation,” the prime minister said, according to a PM Office statement.

Lauding the efforts by Asif to win the title, he said Pakistan’s capable youth were bringing fame to the country in the sports field. The government is also striving for world-class facilities for sportsmen as a priority to enable them to compete in international contests.