Education helps overcome extremism: Shahbaz

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that promotion of education is essential for changing the destiny of the nation and elimination of extremism and violence. He said that terrorism is the biggest hurdle in the way of progress and prosperity of the country. He said that bullets are effective against the menace of terrorism but tables of education, justice, health and employment opportunities are also have vital importance for resolving this severe issue. Education can help to eradicate extremism, terrorism and militancy as well as transforming Pakistan in accordance with the vision of Quaid and Iqbal.
He was addressing to the cash prize distribution ceremony for position holders of matriculation intermediate examination of 2014 at Aiwan-e-Iqbal on Wednesday. 418 position holders of Punjab, Sindh, KPK, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and federal boards were given 18 crore rupees while 370 teachers showing excellent performance were given cash prizes of 5.5 crore rupees as well as commendatory certificates. Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan, Provincial Ministers, Members National and Provincial Assembly, vice chancellors, parents, teachers, intellectuals, educationists, columnists and a large numbers of male and female students also attended the function.
He said that energy problem is a big challenge which will be overcome during next three years through hard work and commitment. He said that promotion of education is also necessary for development of agriculture, industry, trade and other social sectors. He said that Pakistani youth are very talented and intelligent and imparting of modern education to the young generation can help in making Pakistan a modern Islamic welfare state. Education is the right of every child and Punjab government has taken historic measures for the development of education sector in the province. He further said,students of Punjab as well as all units of the country have been included in education programmes of provincial government, due to which, national solidarity is also being promoted. He said, "besides giving cash prizes of crore of rupees to position holder boys and girls students of the whole country every year, they are also being sent on study tour of prestigious educational institutions of Europe by Punjab government. He said that reforms in education system are necessary for achieving the desire results for that steps are taken by the government to promote education. He appealed to Vice Chancellors of universities, teachers, parents and all stakeholders to come forward and evolve such a system which could ensure a bright future to the country and a prominent status for nation. The Chief Minister also announced that from next year, besides visit to universities of Europe, position holder will also be sent for Umrah.