Promotion of education key to change nation’s destiny: CM

LAHORE
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif Wednesday said promotion of education was essential to change the destiny of the nation and eliminate extremism and violence.
Addressing a cash prize distribution ceremony for position holders of matric and intermediate examinations of 2014 at Aiwan-e-Iqbal, the CM said education, justice, health and employment opportunities were also vital to combat extremism and terrorism. Some 418 position holders of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and federal boards were given Rs 18 crore, while 370 teachers showing excellent performance were given cash prizes of Rs 5.5 crore and commendatory certificates. Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan, provincial ministers, MNAs, MPAs, vice chancellors, parents, teachers, intellectuals, educationists, columnists and a large number of male and female students attended the ceremony.
Shahbaz said energy problem would be tackled in three years. He said promotion of education was necessary for development of agriculture, industry, trade and other social sectors. The CM said students of Punjab and other areas have been included in education programme to promote national solidarity.
Shahbaz said reforms in education system were necessary to achieve desired results from the steps taken by the government for promotion of education. He announced also sending position holders to Saudi Arabia for Umrah from the next year. He congratulated the position holders, their teachers and parents. The CM said participation of position holders from across the country in the function reflected that the entire nation was united.
Greater Iqbal: Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting to review Greater Iqbal project and various proposals were considered in this regard. Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that Greater Iqbal project was of vital importance and it would play an important role in highlighting the history and cultural heritage of Lahore.
The chief minister directed the authorities concerned to highlight prominent features of Mughal architecture in the project and a mini museum should also be set up regarding Pakistan movement so that the visitors should gain knowledge about the struggle for independence.
Federal Minister: Federal Minister Lt. Gen. (R) Abdul Qadir Baloch met Shahbaz Sharif, here on Wednesday. Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said the PML-N government under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would rid the country of the menace of terrorism and energy crisis. Political and military leadership is united for eliminating terrorism, he added. He said that projects of electricity were being completed speedily for overcoming energy crisis. Federal Minister Lt. Gen. (R) Abdul Qadir Baloch congratulated the chief minister on completion of Pakistan Metro Bus Project.