Kashmiris’ sacrifices won’t go in vain: PM

BHIMBER, AJK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that as long as the people of Kashmir do not get their right to self-determination according to the United Nations’ resolutions, “we would continue our political, moral, and diplomatic support”.

“The Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir, is firmly committed to supporting our Kashmiri brothers. The sacrifices of Kashmiris will not go in vain; they will attain freedom,” he added while addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of the first Daanish School Science and Technology Centre of Excellence in Bhimber, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

The prime minister expressed his commitment to establishing more Daanish Schools in the AJK and other underdeveloped areas, aiming to provide quality education to talented and intelligent children who lack access to educational facilities. He termed the establishment of Daanish School in the AJK a welcoming sign.

He said that the project of Daanish Schools was the brainchild of his leader and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, which were initially aimed at providing quality education to talented and intelligent children of less developed areas of Punjab and whose parents were unable to bear their education expenses. “Thousands of students are now serving in different key departments after completing their studies from Daanish Schools,” he added.

He said talented orphans and poor children were enrolled in Daanish Schools which would bring an educational revolution in the country. He said that children in these schools get free books, meals and boarding facilities. Similarly, he said the school’s buildings would be totally separate for girls and boys.

He announced that more Daanish Schools would be opened soon in Neelum and other areas of the AJK. Similarly, he added, more such schools would also be opened in Gilgit Baltistan, Balochistan and merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The prime minister said all funds for the schools would be paid by the federal government. He directed the relevant authorities to construct and operationalise the school within one year.

The prime minister pointed out that the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), who were fighting for their independence, would be happy to see their brothers getting such high standard education facilities. He said that the chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh and Balochisan were taking steps to provide the best possible facilities in education and health sectors. He said due the incumbent government’s prudent steps, the inflation rate and subsequently the policy rate had come down significantly, besides the country’s exports and foreign remittances also witnessed notable increase.

He said the World Bank, in its 10-year plan, had also allocated $20 billion for various projects in Pakistan. “We have saved the country from falling into default by resolving key economic challenges,” he said, adding that the government was committed to successfully completing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

Shehbaz noted that the country could not see development and prosperity until eradication of terrorism. “Pakistan armed forces and security forces are rendering great sacrifices in the war against terrorism which must be acknowledged,” he said, adding that unrest in the country was incurring a huge loss of around Rs190 billion every day. He expressed the confidence that those conspiring against the country will fail.

AJK Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq said that Shehbaz had illuminated the path of knowledge by establishing a Daanish School in Bhimber, an underdeveloped district. “This is his credit, and we are grateful for the launch of this great project. This is a game-changer initiative,” he added. He said the Kashmiris will unite and confront Indian state terrorism. “India is engaging in propaganda to divert attention from its atrocities and human rights violations in the Occupied Kashmir.”

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam expressed gratitude for the establishment of Daanish School project in Azad Kashmir, adding that four schools would be established in the area. Federal Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that the Daanish Schools initiative had now been launched in Kashmir. “Nations develop through educational progress. We are striving to promote modern education in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision,” he added.

Meanwhile, chairing a meeting in the federal capital, the prime minister directed the authorities to ensure a transparent and merit-based selection of students to be sent to China for modern training in the agriculture sector. He also directed the formation of a committee to address the grievances of students not meeting the standard during the scrutiny.