PM for equipping youth with scientific, technical education

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has highlighted the significance of equipping young minds with scientific and technical education for transformation of the existing human resource of the country into a productive human capital.

Talking to a delegation of Pakistan Alliance for Math & Science at the Prime Minister Office (PMO) on Thursday, the premier said the provincial governments need to play a leading role since education is a devolved subject under the 18th Amendment. He reiterated commitment of the federal government to continue providing every possible support for promoting quality education in the country and also to work with the Alliance for some key initiatives in this sector.

The delegation included Dr Nelofer Halai, Mosharraf Zaidi, Dr Manzoor Soomro, Huma Zia, Nimra Tariq, Salman Naveed Khan, Lalah Rukh, Abdul Rauf, Partab Shivani, Junaid Daharm, Dr Faisal Khan and Ms Nida Bukhari. The delegation members briefed the prime minister about activities of the Alliance for Math & Science for generating interest of the students in science and mathematics studies that hold the key to socio-economic progress and development of the country. The delegation members also presented various proposals to the prime minister for strengthening and promotion of quality education in the disciplines of science and mathematics across the country.

These suggestions included among others establishment of science labs in schools, strengthening of Pakistan Science Foundation and giving political ownership to the cause utilising the platform of Council of Common Interests (CCI). The prime minister while welcoming the suggestions assured the delegation that the government recognises the need for greater measures to promote quality education, especially in the field of mathematics and science and would welcome every suggestion for this purpose.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abbasi chaired a meeting on draft National Water Policy at Prime Minister Office.

Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Sartaj Aziz briefed the meeting on proposed National Water Policy which has been drafted for the purpose of putting in place a policy framework for ensuring effective management and conservation of existing water resources, improving availability, reliability and quality of fresh water to meet critical municipal, agricultural, energy and food security needs besides addressing the environmental concerns.

The draft policy addresses critical issues of reduction in wastage of water, enhancement of water storage capacity from 14 MAF to at least 28 MAF through a network of small, medium and large-sized storage reservoirs, increasing efficiency of water use by producing more crop per drop, gradual replacement and refurbishing of irrigation infrastructure and setting up of realistic and achievable targets in consultation with the provinces.