Prime Minister grants Rs 50 million for renovation Sujhan Singh Haveli given to FJWU for City Campus

Terming higher and quality education among womenfolk imperative for development and prosperity of the nation, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said here on Monday that the government was making all-out efforts for higher and skill-oriented education among womenfolk of the country to involve them in the country's development.
"Education is most important for socio-economic development of countries and only nations deserve prosperity who invest in education, particularly education of women", he said at the handing over ceremony of the historical 'Sujhan Singh Haveli' in Bhabrra Bazaar to Fatimah Jinnah Women University (FJWU) for its City Campus.
The Prime Minister announced Rs 50 million for restoration and renovation of the Haveli to convert this heritage into a 'School of Art, Culture, Architecture and Heritage'.
Talking about initiatives and reforms of the government in different fields, he said that as a result of economic reforms Pakistan has attained economic stability, which demands prudent policies and efforts. "Empowerment of women is the main aim of the government, but in a few areas old traditions and feudal system are hurdle. But we will abolish them", he added.
He said that the education sector remained isolated in the past, but this government has increased the allocations on education manifold. "More than Rs 120 billion is being spent on education in the country and the allocations will further be increased", he added.
Shaukat stressed the need for active participation of women in all fields, saying that women "are half of the population" and without involving them socio-economic development would not be attained. "This government took initiatives to empower women, and today women have highest representation in parliament and other elected forums. We have women pilots in PIA, and even fighter pilots in Pakistan Air Force and in police and motorway police", he said.
"We are living in 21st century, which is full of challenges, and the world is rapidly changing", he said, adding that only nations who would run with the world would move forward and attain development, and this government was desirous to lead the country towards new heights of development.
"We must involve women while remaining in the limits of our religion and culture", he said, adding that "Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance and moderation and it is not barring followers from socio-economic development".
He lauded the step to hand over 'Sujhan Singh Haveli' to the University for its city campus, saying that students while entering this campus would move through the corridors of history, culture, heritage and art and craft. He said that 'Lal Haveli' and seven historical buildings in Bagh-e-Sardaran would also be handed over to FJWU.
He directed the Higher Education Commission to provide all-out support to the University in providing quality higher education to womenfolk for providing qualified women in the fields of science and technology and other fields.
The Prime Minister rejected nepotism and said: "That meritocracy should always win is our main desire and after negating nepotism we would attain the highest standards." The Chancellor of the University Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool said that as many as one hundred thousand students are getting university education and out of them 8000 students are receiving PhD degrees in the province.
He lauded the services of Federal Information Minister Sheikh Rasheed in the fields of education and heath by creating more than 50 educational institutions and several hospitals in Rawalpindi.
Earlier, the Prime Minister handed over the keys of 'Sujhan Singh Haveli' to Dr Najma Najam, vice-chancellor of the Fatimah Jinnah Women University.